Scottish politics RECAP: Humza Yousaf formally resigns | John Swinney elected Scotland's new first minister

Mr Swinney won the vote in Holyrood a day after becoming new SNP leader

Catch up on what happened as John Swinney was elected the new First Minister of Scotland.

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Topical questions are still going ahead as planned in the Scottish Parliament. 

We are expecting a question on the cyber attack on NHS Dumfries and Galloway from Colin Smyth MSP, and Grangemouth oil refinery from Stephen Kerr MSP.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross is now asking for this afternoon’s parliamentary business to be altered - however this is not to allow a First Minister vote, it is to ask for half an hour to be set aside to debate the Post Office Horizon scandal. 

Picture: James Manning/PA WirePicture: James Manning/PA Wire
Picture: James Manning/PA Wire

He wants Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC to make a statement in the Scottish Parliament on the mass exoneration of the victims of this scandal.

Parliamentary Business Minister George Adam says a stage one debate on legislation on this will happen on 21 May and stage two on 22 May.

Douglas Ross’s attempt to get 30 minutes this afternoon to discuss the Post Office Horizon scandal has failed - 55 voted in favour, compared to 70 against.

Ahead of the vote for a new First Minister, why not take a look back at Scotland’s previous First Ministers?

We’ve got a handy guide on who each First Minister was, how long they served for, and why they stood down.

The Scottish Greens are going to abstain from voting for a new First Minister this afternoon.

Scottih Green Party co-leader Lorna SlaterScottih Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater
Scottih Green Party co-leader Lorna Slater

As abstentions are discounted in the final vote, this shouldn’t affect the outcome - but still not a good start for John Swinney.

Speaking ahead of this afternoon’s vote, Green co-leader Lorna Slater said: “The SNP is the largest party at Holyrood, it has a right to form a government, but it does not have an automatic right to our votes.

“We need to see what vision the First Minister has for Scotland and what direction he wants to take.

“This is a crucial time for our country, and the Scottish Government will face huge challenges.

“We hope that John Swinney will continue with the progressive agenda that has lifted over 90,000 children out of poverty and put the climate front and centre of our politics.

“The Scottish Greens will always work positively and constructively, and not indulge in opposition for its own sake or political game playing.  

“We will aim to work with and support the Scottish Government on an issue-by-issue basis.

“We will back them when they are delivering progressive policies that protect our environment and help to tackle child poverty, and we will oppose them or push them to go further and raise their ambitions when we think they need it.

“A lot of the most important changes we secured as a result of the Bute House Agreement are still at an early stage and need to be delivered.

“From rent controls and tenants’ rights to a ban on so-called conversion therapy and the creation of a new national park, we remain committed to these policies and the progressive vision that they are part of.

“Every day matters, and we need to grasp every opportunity to build a more sustainable future.

“That is the approach that we took during our time in the Scottish Government, and it is what we will push for every day in opposition.”

MSPs in Holyrood are currently discussing the future of the Grangemouth oil refinery. 

A public meeting has been called to discuss the proposed closure of the Grangemouth Petroineos refinery. Pic: Getty ImagesA public meeting has been called to discuss the proposed closure of the Grangemouth Petroineos refinery. Pic: Getty Images
A public meeting has been called to discuss the proposed closure of the Grangemouth Petroineos refinery. Pic: Getty Images

Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr says the Scottish Government needs to work with the UK Government to work together to save the site.

Energy Secretary Màiri McAllan says ministers and officials are “closely engaged in development of these matters” and says they are working to secure as many jobs as possible including working with the UK Department of Energy and the Scotland Office.

Alba MSP Ash Regan now says there has been “collective failure on Grangemouth” from both the Scottish and UK governments.

Edinburgh Eastern Alba MSP Ash Regan holds the First Minister’s fate in her hands. Picture: Lisa Ferguson/National WorldEdinburgh Eastern Alba MSP Ash Regan holds the First Minister’s fate in her hands. Picture: Lisa Ferguson/National World
Edinburgh Eastern Alba MSP Ash Regan holds the First Minister’s fate in her hands. Picture: Lisa Ferguson/National World

Energy Secretary Màiri McAllan says while decisions regarding companies on site for the commercial entities, they are working with all parties for a future plan and meeting everyone who has a stake, and investing in low carbon study opportunities.

Labour MSPs Sarah Boyack and Daniel Johnson are asking for confirmation that the government will publish its just transition plan for Grangemouth this month - the cabinet secretary hasn’t said this will definitely happen, merely that it will be “very soon indeed”.

Humza Yousaf is now making a personal statement after officially resigning as First Minister of Scotland.

First Minister Humza Yousaf during a visit to the Thistle Foundation in Edinburgh. Picture: Robert Perry/Getty ImagesFirst Minister Humza Yousaf during a visit to the Thistle Foundation in Edinburgh. Picture: Robert Perry/Getty Images
First Minister Humza Yousaf during a visit to the Thistle Foundation in Edinburgh. Picture: Robert Perry/Getty Images

He started by thanking Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and said he will be a “model backbencher who will be on their best behaviour - for the first few weeks”.

Mr Yousaf is also starting his statement by quoting the very first First Minister Donald Dewar and thanking former MSP Tavish Scott for praising him after he made his first speech in 2011.

Humza Yousaf has started to tear up after recounting racial experiences he had as a child.

He said he has “defied the far-right, the racists and the bigots who told me to ‘go home’” and that the opportunity to lead his home has been “the most tremendous honour”.

Mr Yousaf added: “To other little boys and girls who look or sound different, know those differences make us unique and should be celebrated in a diverse Scotland, and those differences should in no way hold you back from achieving your dreams.”

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