Scotland’s First Minister Hamza Yousaf has resigned as First Minister and from the leadership of the Scottish National Party (SNP) following days of political drama that unfolded after he ended the ‘Bute House’ power-sharing agreement with the the Green Party.
Yousaf said he would continue in the role of First Minister until a replacement was found.
“I’ve concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm,” Yousaf said, resigning a little over a year since he replaced Nicola Sturgeon as first minister and SNP leader.
The Scottish parliament now has 28 days to choose a new first minister. If the SNP’s new leader is unable to command support in parliament, a Scottish election will be held.
Scottish Labour said the SNP should call an election rather than appoint a new first minister without the say of the broader public. But the Greens said they would oppose efforts to trigger an early election.
Former SNP leader John Swinney said he was considering standing for SNP leader, with Yousaf’s former leadership rival Kate Forbes also seen as a possible successor.
