After Douglas Ross announced he would table a vote of no confidence, the Greens shocked Mr Yousaf by saying they would support him . Photo: Ken Jack/Getty Images Europe
The Greens accused him of an “act of political cowardice” and said the “weakness and utter hopelessness” of his actions demonstrated that “he can no longer be trusted.”
After Ross announced that he would submit a vote of no confidence, they shocked Yousaf by announcing that they would support him.
The Greens have ignored calls from the SNP to rethink their position and abstain, meaning the only way Mr Yousaf could have held on was if he had secured the support of Ash Regan, the only MP from the Alba party.
If she had backed Mr Yousaf, this would result in a tie of 64 votes apiece, which would give Alison Johnston, the chair of Holyrood, the casting vote.
Ms Johnston is required to vote for the status quo, meaning Mr Yusaf would have simply survived.
But SNP insiders warned it would split the party and Mr Yousaf is understood to have accepted on Sunday evening that he would have to resign.
John Swinney considers replacing Humza Yousaf Read more
In a statement he said his decision to end the SNP's coalition with the Greens was right for his party and country, but he acknowledged that “what I did” was a mistake.
“In order for a minority government to govern effectively and efficiently, trust in dealing with the opposition is obviously fundamental,” he said.
“And while it was absolutely possible to pass a no-confidence vote this week, I am not willing to trade my values and principles or make deals with anyone simply to maintain power.”
>“So after spending the weekend thinking about what is best for the government and the country I lead, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to restore our relationship despite political differences is with someone else at the helm.”
Mr Yousaf, the first person from an ethnic minority to serve as First Minister, said he was honored to do so, adding: “People who look like me have not held political positions, let alone led governments when I was younger.”
He concluded: “Independence seems depressingly close, but the last few miles of any marathon are always the hardest. We ran this race as a team – and now I prepare to pass the baton to a successor who I have every confidence will take us to the finish line.”
Ms Sturgeon paid tribute to him, tweeting: “I know , how great a privilege it is to be First Minister, but I also know what losses it can cost. I also know how hard it is to step aside, even if I'm sure it's the right thing to do.
“Humza conducted himself with grace, dignity and integrity – both as Foreign Minister and in the manner in which he left. I will always be proud to call him a friend.”
Nicola Sturgeon praised Mr Yusuf, who succeeded her as First Minister . Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Archive
But Mr Ross said: “The Scottish Conservatives have delivered on our promise to be a strong opposition to Humza Yousaf and the SNP. We forced Humza Yousuf from office for repeatedly failing Scotland. Faced with our vote of no confidence, the SNP leader chose to resign rather than suffer a humiliating defeat.
“As he leaves office, I personally wish Humza Yousaf and his family all the best. But we cannot forgive the damage he has caused to families and households across Scotland by raising taxes, allowing NHS waiting lists to grow and attacking freedom of speech.”
Anas Sarwar, leader of Scottish Labor, thanked Mr Yousaf for his public support. service and said he would be remembered for the “dignified conduct he led when his loved ones faced danger in the Gaza Strip.”
But he added: “For Scottish Labor it was never about one man – that's about 17 years of failure for the Scottish National Party. The fact is that the Scottish National Party created this crisis and it looks like they will once again put party before country while Scots are being failed every day.”
Patrick Harvey, one of the leaders of the Scottish Greens and one of the ministers ousted from Yousaf's government, said: “Humza Yousaf has the right to resign. His position was no longer sustainable after he broke ties of trust with the Scottish Greens and with everyone who wanted a stable, progressive, pro-independence government.
“It's unfortunate that it ended this way. . There was no need for this. We get no satisfaction or pleasure from it.”
Ms Regan said the First Minister should have accepted Alba's offer, saying: “The Greens were prepared to vote with the Tories and, surprisingly, some forces in Humza Yousaf's party, his own party would rather see him resign than deal with a party that really wants independence.”
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