Humza Yousaf resigns RECAP: First Minister steps down after tumultuous week
Recap as Humza Yousaf resigns as First Minister.
Humza Yousaf resigns as First Minister RECAP
Key Events
- Humza Yousaf has resigned as First Minister and SNP leader
- He will stay on as First Minister until a replacement is found
- Humza Yousaf says he underestimated the hurt caused by ending the Bute House Agreement
Nicola Sturgeon says she is “proud” to call Humza Yousaf a friend, as he steps down as First Minister only a year after she did.
Posting on X, Ms Sturgeon said: “I know how big a privilege being First Minister is, but also the toll it can take.
“I also know what a wrench it is to step aside, even when sure it is the right thing to do.
“Humza has conducted himself with grace, dignity and integrity - both as First Minister and in the manner of his leaving.
“I am and always will be proud to call him a friend.”
John Swinney, the former deputy first minister and former SNP leader who is now touted to replace Humza Yousaf, says Humza Yousaf has been a “pioneering” First Minister who led with “empathy and care and an emphasis on bringing people together”.
In a speech made from central London, he said: “I’m giving very careful consideration to standing to be leader of the SNP.
“I have been overwhelmed by the requests that have been made of me to do that.
“I have had many messages from many colleagues, so I am giving it active consideration and I am likely to say more in the days to come.”
He added: “I am going to give it consideration.
“There’s lots to think about because there is the question of my family.
“I need to make sure I do the right thing by my family, my party and my country.
“There is lots to be thought about and I will give it all my consideration in the days to come.”
We’ve now heard from Kate Forbes - but no indication as to whether or not she will stand to replace him.
Posting on X, she said: “As First Minister Humza Yousaf cared passionately about Scotland.
“Few of us will forget his statesmanship and compassion on Gaza.
“He is an honourable man, who displayed dignity and humility today.
“I wish him and Nadia well with their impending new arrival in the summer.”
Some more support amongst senior members of the SNP for John Swinney.
Pete Wishart, a fellow Perthshire politician, said: “John Swinney would be an excellent unifier for our country and our party.
“We should all get behind him if he chooses to run.”
We’ve also heard from SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, who again has not indicated whether or not he intends to become SNP leader.
Although it should be noted here that as an MP, Mr Flynn would not be able to become First Minister.
Posting on X, Mr Flynn said: “Humza Yousaf has served Scotland with integrity, compassion and commitment.
“The challenges he has faced have been huge, yet at every turn he has led from the front.
“There can be no doubt that he has now laid the groundwork required to take our country forward.
“I wish him well.”
Is Joanna Cherry KC MP backing Kate Forbes to be the next First Minister?
In last year’s SNP leadership contest, Ms Cherry was one of the only parliamentarians to back Ash Regan MSP, who has now defected from SNP to the Alba Party.
Posting on X, Ms Cherry said: “John Swinney is hugely respected across our party but the lesson of the last year is that the SNP needs a complete reset.
“We must go forward, not backwards.
“Kate was right when she said that continuity would not cut it.
“The next leader must deliver change.”
Rebel SNP backbencher Fergus Ewing throwing his weight behind Kate Forbes once again.
He says there is “no doubt whatsoever” that fellow Highlander Ms Forbes would be the best candidate for First Minister.
Speaking on BBC Lunchtime Live, he said: “We don’t want another candidate that frankly is associated with some of the problems that have brought us down in the polls and lost us trust and confidence.”
He then said Ms Forbes is the “most popular MSP in Scotland”.
Ash Regan says she is willing to work with the next SNP leader.
Ms Regan stood against Humza Yousaf in the SNP leadership contest last year, and later defected to Alex Salmond’s Alba Party.
She was tipped to hold the deciding vote had Mr Yousaf faced a no-confidence vote later this week.
Mr Yousaf turned down cutting a deal with Ms Regan to get her support in that vote.
Ms Regan said: “Bizarrely some forces in Humza Yousaf’s own party would rather see him resign than deal with a party who really want to advance independence.
“However, a new SNP leader and a new first minister will not change parliamentary arithmetic.
“I continue to stand ready to work in the best interests of Scotland and to advance the cause of Scottish independence.”
Let’s turn our eyes to Downing Street.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson says they haven’t seen the full speech from Humza Yousaf, but said: “Clearly the government will work with the new administration [...] on important areas like the economy and energy.
“Most people don’t want to be distracted by the ins and outs of politics, they want to see their governments working together on their priorities.”
Speaking on ITV News Rishi Sunak said: “We haven’t seen the details yet of what’s happening in Scotland, but what people in Scotland deserve is a government that is focused on what they care about and not constitutional wrangling and obsessing about independence.
“From the moment I got this job, I said that I’m happy to work constructively with the government in Scotland to deliver for people on the things they care about, which is why we have brought freeports to Scotland, attracting jobs and investment.
“And what the SNP government should be focused on is day-to-day issues like the economy, like the NHS, not obsessing about independence or, indeed, gender recognition.”
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