The SNP leader’s Humza Yousaf’s position as Scottish First Minister has been hanging by a thread since he ended the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens last week
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf is set to quit ahead of a knife-edge no confidence vote at Holyrood.
The SNP leader’s Mr Yousaf’s position has been hanging by a thread since he ended the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens last week. Later this week he was facing two votes of no confidence – one in his leadership and another similar motion against his Government north of the border.
The Daily Record has been told by a senior party source Mr Yousaf will quit on Monday rather than face the votes on. An insider said he wanted former Deputy First Minister John Swinney to take over on a full-time basis.
Speaking on Monday an SNP MSP has said she has heard “rumours” the First Minister is considering stepping down rather than facing a vote of no confidence
Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, Michelle Thomson, who was part of Kate Forbes’ campaign for leadership last year, said: “I’m hearing the same rumours and I think we’re all waiting to see what the actual position is. I guess the rumours suggest that something is afoot, but I honestly can’t clarify because I’ve had no update nor, as I understand, have my MSP group, so I guess we’ll all hear definitively one way or another this morning.”
The First Minister requires the support of at least one member of the opposition at Holyrood. The pro-independence Greens, furious about their treatment, are supporting the bid to topple him.
Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I don’t think Humza Yousaf any more is in a position to be able to lead.” He added: “I don’t think there is anything that Humza Yousaf will be able to say to restore the trust he has broken.”