Humza Yousaf ridiculed for 'embarrassing' letter asking for support

Mr Yousaf fights for his political future Photo: JEFF J MITCHELL/GETTY

Humza Yousaf ridiculed for sending «Humiliating» message and disgraceful» letter asking for support from opposition parties in his bid for power.

The First Minister asked for a meeting with Holyrood party leaders, including Ash Regan, a defector from the Scottish National Party who could decide his future in a vote of no confidence this week.

Mr Yousaf wrote to Alba, the Scottish Conservatives: Scottish Labor and the Scottish Greens are asking for separate meetings on Friday night at his official residence Bute House in Edinburgh.

In the letter, he said the people of Scotland «want their political parties to work together where and when they can, to build consensus for the common good.»

«I recognize the strong feelings about the trust debate which our Parliament will hold next week,” he said.

“Despite this, I am writing to all party groups at Holyrood asking them to meet with me. next week in separate meetings to discuss their concerns and, indeed, priorities, in a hopefully constructive spirit.»

However, Douglas Ross, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives who moved the motion of no confidence in the First Minister, rejected the request. «This is a humiliating and embarrassing letter in which Humza Yousaf begs to be kept in his job,» he said.

Mr Ross added: «He must now accept that his time in power is over and, finally, resign from the post of First Minister.»

«If he doesn't do this before the Scottish Conservatives vote in confidence in him [this] week, his future as First Minister depends on a vote that is currently so well balanced that his credibility as a leader will be completely undermined.» whatever the outcome.»

Mr Yousaf is desperate to save himself after his decision on Thursday to abandon a coalition with the Scottish Greens backfired spectacularly.

Ms Regan left the SNP last year. Photo: ANDREW MILLIGAN/PA

Ms Regan, who defected to Alex Salmond's rival nationalist Alba party months after Mr Yousaf defeated her for the SNP leadership in March last year, could have a decisive vote. if all other parties vote against the First Minister.

The Alba MP, whose defection from the party Mr Yusuf called «not such a big loss», laid out a wide range of conditions for his support.

< p>These include SNP politicians signing a «declaration of Scottish sovereignty», implementing the Cass Review findings into children's gender services and trying to save the Grangemouth oil refinery.

Alba's governing body held an emergency meeting this weekend to decide what to do next.

Ms Regan told the BBC on Friday that she had not spoken to Mr Yousaf since last year's leadership contest.

«I think maybe some of the things he said about me when I left to change political parties last year probably shows that it's always wise to show that level of professional courtesy to people with you work with,” she said.

Sources close to Mr Yousaf suggest nothing will be discussed at the talks.

But other SNP sources believe he «walking Dead». » and he will have to resign even if he wins the vote.

A vote on a motion of no confidence in Mr Yousaf's leadership is expected to take place on Wednesday or Thursday.

Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labor, raised the stakes further on Friday by bringing forward a motion of no confidence. throughout the Scottish Government. If this is successful, Mr Yousaf and all his ministers will be legally obliged to resign.

Jackie Bailey, deputy leader of Scottish Labor, said: “Everyone except Humza Yousaf sees that it is his time has expired, but it is not enough to change the people at the head of this out-of-touch Scottish National Party government.

“The people of Scotland deserve a say in their next First Minister and the chance to elect a completely new government.

Kate Forbes, Mr Yousaf's former leadership rival, called on her fellow SNP members to support their leader.

Patrick Harvey, one of the leaders of the Scottish Greens, said this. It is “absolutely clear” Mr Yousuf will not be able to unite Holyrood and urged the SNP to consider finding a replacement for him.