Humza Yousaf resigns - live: Former SNP leader John Swinney mulls bid to become Scotland’s next first minister

Former SNP leader John Swinney is considering becoming Scotland’s next first minister after Humza Yousaf quit the role in an emotional speech at midday.

Mr Swinney, 60, who led the party between 2000 and 2004 and stood down after Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation last year, said he was “actively considering” the role of Scottish first minister.

“I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made for me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party. So I’m giving that issue very active consideration,” he told Sky News.

It comes after Yousaf announced he was stepping down during an address at Bute House, Edinburgh, just days before a vote on his leadership was expected.

As he choked up, the 39-year-old thanked his “wonderful” wife and “beautiful” children for supporting him throughout his time in office.

The SNP leader faced two no confidence votes scheduled by the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour – which the Scottish Greens said they would join to oust him.

It came after the SNP’s power-sharing agreement with the Greens collapsed when Yousaf sacked them from his government on Thursday last week.

Key points

• Humza Yousaf resigns in emotional speech

• Former SNP leader John Swinney mulls bid for first minister

• Who could replace Humza Yousaf as First Minister?

• Scotland in ‘absolute chaos’, Sir Keir Starmer says

Humza Yousaf resigns

12:05 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf has quit as Scottish first minister in a sensational move to avoid being ousted by his opposition in a no confidence vote.

Mr Yousaf announced he was stepping down during an address at Bute House, Edinburgh, at midday today, just days before a vote on his leadership was expected.

The 39-year-old said: “After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead I have concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.

“I have therefore informed the SNP’s national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader and asks that she commences a leadership contest for my replacement as soon as possible.

Former SNP leader John Swinney mulls bid for first minister

15:43 , Alexander Butler

Former SNP leader John Swinney is considering becoming Scotland’s next first minister after Humza Yousaf quit the role in an emotional speech at midday.

Mr Swinney, 60, who led the party between 2000 and 2004 and stood down after Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation last year, said he was “actively considering” the role of Scottish first minister.

“I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made for me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party. So I’m giving that issue very active consideration,” he told Sky News.

Humza Yousaf is gone – and Labour can’t believe its luck

15:15 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf is gone – and Labour can’t believe its luck | Andrew Grice

Yousaf cared passionately about Scotland, says Kate Forbes

14:57 , Alexander Butler

MSP and potential successor to Humza Yousaf has said the former first minister cared “passionately” about Scotland and showed compassion for Gaza.

Writing 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.”

Yousef conducted himself with ‘grace’, Sturgeon says

14:45 , Alexander Butler

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said Humza Yousef conducted himself with “grace” and she was proud to call him a friend.

Writing on X, 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 FM and in the manner of his leaving. I am and always will be proud to call him a friend.”

John Swinney 'considering' standing for SNP leader after Humza Yousaf resignation

14:30 , Alexander Butler

Watch: Scottish people ‘being let down’, says Starmer

14:15 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf ‘bizarre’ for resigning, says Alba MSP Ash Regan

14:11 , Alexander Butler

UK government ready to work with next first minister

14:00 , Alexander Butler

The UK Government will work with Humza Yousaf’s successor to deliver on “the real issues that matter to people”, Downing Street has said.

Reacting to the first minister’s resignation, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “When the first minister came to office he and the prime minister talked about wanting to work together to focus on the real issues that matter to people.

“I haven’t, obviously, seen the news that you’ve reported on, but clearly if that’s the case, the UK Government will work with the new administration to the same end, which is working together to deliver for people in Scotland, whether it’s growing the economy, delivering jobs, enhancing energy security.

“For most people, they don’t want to be distracted by the ins and outs of politics, they want to see their governments working together to deliver on their priorities.”

Humza Yousaf: A tenure as First Minister which was difficult from the start

13:45 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf: A tenure as First Minister which was difficult from the start

SNP leadership election: who are the runners and riders to replace Humza Yousaf

13:30 , Alexander Butler

SNP leadership election: who are the runners and riders to replace Humza Yousaf

What now for Scottish politics after Humza Yousaf’s resignation?

13:15 , Alexander Butler

What now for Scottish politics after Humza Yousaf’s resignation?

Who may succeed Humza Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister?

13:00 , Alexander Butler

Who may succeed Humza Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister?

Scottish Labour statement

12:45 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf is gone – and Labour can’t believe its luck

12:30 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf is gone – and Labour can’t believe its luck | Andrew Grice

Watch: Humza Yousaf fights back tears as he announces SNP resignation

12:28 , Alexander Butler

Douglas Ross claims Tories ‘forced Yousaf out of office'

12:27 , Alexander Butler

The Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross claimed his party forced Yousaf out of office in a “humiliating defeat”.

“We have forced Humza Yousaf out of office for repeatedly failing Scotland. Faced with our vote of no confidence, the SNP leader has quit rather than face a humiliating defeat.

“We cannot forgive the damage he did to families and households across Scotland by raising taxes, letting NHS waiting lists spiral and attacking free speech.”

MSP John Swinney ‘terribly sorry’ Yousaf has stood down

12:20 , Alexander Butler

SNP MSP and potential successor John Swinney has said he is “terribly sorry” Humza Yousaf had decided to step down as Scottish first minister.

Writing on X, he said: “I am terribly sorry that the first minster has decided to step down. Humza Yousaf has been a pioneer, the first person of colour to hold office as first minister.

“He has given principled and empathetic leadership to our country and has worked tirelessly to bring people together. I wish Humza, Nadia and their family well in all that lies ahead.”

Yousaf becomes emotional speaking about family

12:17 , Tom Barnes

Former Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf became emotional towards the end of his resignation speech while talking about his family.

As his voice broke, Yousaf said about his time in office: “It takes its toll on your physical and mental health; your family suffer along side you.

“I am in absolute debt to my wonderful wife, my beautiful children and wider family for putting up with me over the years. I’m afraid you will be seeing a lot more of me from now.You are truly everything to me.”

Yousaf: I underestimated hurt caused to Greens by axing power-sharing deal

12:15 , Tom Barnes

Mr Yousaf said he had underestimated the level of hurt ending the power-sharing deal with the Greens, which ultimately led to the toppling of his leadership, would have.

While he said it was "the right decision", he said: "Unfortunately in ending the Bute House Agreement in the matter I did I clearly underestimate the level of hurt and upset that caused Green colleagues.

"For a minority government to be able to govern effectively trust when working with the opposition is clearly fundamental."

He added a route through the no-confidence vote was "absolutely possible".

But he added: "I am not willing to trade in my values or principles or do deals with whomever simply for retaining power."

Ian Blackford thanks Yousaf

12:13 , Alexander Butler

Scottish National Party MP Ian Blackford has thanked Humza Yousaf for serving as first minister and and said he was a “decent man”.

Writing on X, Mr Blackford said: “Thank you Humza Yousaf for being our first minister and leader of the SNP. It has been a pleasure to work with and support you.

“You are a good and a decent man and I am so sorry that you have felt compelled to resign as first minister. We can be proud that you were elected as our leader. Thank you and good wishes my friend.”

Who could replace Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister?

11:47 , Alexander Butler

Mairi McAllan

The Clydesdale MSP has been tipped as a future leader as she quickly moved up the ranks despite only being elected in 2021.

At the age of 31, Ms McAllan would become the youngest first minister, but her portfolio in Holyrood shows she is already capable of handling a significant brief.

The party’s rising star was given a ministerial post for environment, biodiversity and land reform in May 2021, shortly after being elected.

But, under Humza Yousaf, she quickly ascended to a cabinet post just two years later, taking on the Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition portfolio.

Her brief was widened further in February 2024 after Neil Gray was moved to Health Secretary. She became Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy Secretary.

Ms McAllan announced she was expecting her first child in February 2024, adding she planned to take maternity leave in the summer with a scheduled return for March 2025.

Neil Gray

The wealth of experience held by Neil Gray could make him a likely contender for leadership.

He is thought to be the closest ally of Mr Yousaf but may be able to unite Parliament.

He is a former MP and became an MSP in 2021 serving as a culture and international development minister before being promoted to Economy, Fair Work and Energy Secretary around a year later.

He stepped up to become Health Secretary following the resignation of Michael Matheson.

Jenny Gilruth

Former teacher Jenny Gilruth represents Mid Fife and Glenrothes and is the current Education Secretary.

Her brief is one of the toughest as she faces pressure to address the increasing issue of violence in schools.

She has also held transport minister briefs and Europe, migration and international development minister.

Who could replace Yousaf as Scotland’s first minister?

11:45 , Alexander Butler

Kate Forbes

The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP is perhaps the most likely replacement after she narrowly lost to Mr Yousaf in the fiery leadership contest to replace Nicola Sturgeon just over a year ago.

And as finance secretary under Ms Sturgeon, Ms Forbes has been known to help her government through tough crises, stepping into the role and delivering a budget at short notice after her predecessor, Derek Mackay, resigned in disgrace in 2020.

A Free Church of Scotland member, Ms Forbes’ first run at the leadership was not smooth sailing as her stance on social issues is at odds with many within her own party, particularly her opposition to gender reform.

A key obstacle in her leadership, however, would be the Scottish Greens, they have previously ruled out working with her over her views so it is unlikely she would command the support to effectively rule.

In the last leadership contest, Ms Forbes did not have the backing of most of her own SNP MSPs but did win over a significant number of members, losing the closely-fought leadership election by 47.9 per cent of the vote compared to Mr Yousaf’s 52.1 per cent.

John Swinney

The loyal deputy first minister to Ms Sturgeon could throw his hat in the ring as an SNP MSP with significant experience.

He has been an MSP since the Scottish Parliament’s inception in 1999, serving North Tayside, and previously representing the same constituency at Westminster in 1997.

Mr Swinney previously led his party in Holyrood between 2000 and 2004 during the SNP’s time on the opposition benches.

He has held a raft of cabinet positions, including education and finance and resigned at the same time as Ms Sturgeon.

He also ruled himself out of the 2023 leadership race, stating he had to put his young family first. However, the SNP politician could take the reigns to unite his party in a time of turmoil.

Pictured: Yousaf arrives at Bute House with wife

11:14 , Alexander Butler

Yousaf ‘tore up trust’ says Scottish Greens co-leader as she encourages resignation

11:04 , Alexander Butler

Scotland in ‘absolute chaos’, Sir Keir Starmer says

11:03 , Alexander Butler

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said that the situation with Humza Yousaf and the SNP is “absolute chaos” and called for a “fresh start” in Scotland.

“I despair at the situation in Scotland - it’s absolute chaos now from the Scottish parliament, from the SNP. So you’ve got chaos in the Scottish parliament, chaos in the Westminster parliament,” Sir Keir said.

He said the Scottish People have been “fundamentally let down” and “all the SNP can offer is chaos. We’ve got to turn the page on this now - we need that general election and a fresh start.”

Scottish Conservatives will work to ‘remove SNP government from office'

10:32 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf has “jumped before being pushed” and the Scottish Conservatives will remove the “entire rotten SNP government” from office, a Tory MSP claimed.

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives Douglas Ross said: “We knew the best chance of winning a vote of no confidence was in Humza Yousaf himself. That’s why the Scottish Conservatives tabled it last Thursday and he’s now jumped before being pushed.

“We saw off Nicola Sturgeon and now Humza Yousaf. Now we work to remove this entire rotten SNP Government from office.”

Yousaf set to give press conference today

10:11 , Alexander Butler

Embattled Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf is set to give a press conference at around 12pm today after it emerged he was considering resigning.

The Scottish National Party leader will speak to reporters at his official residence of Bute House, Edinburgh, amid reports he could “call it quits” today.

It comes after the collapse of his power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens last week, according to senior SNP officials.

New SNP-Greens coalition ‘unrealistic’, says Lorna Slater

10:06 , Alexander Butler

Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens, appeared to rule out striking another formal coalition deal with the SNP.

She told Sky News that “reassembling something like that after the trust has been lost between the parties I think is probably unrealistic”.

She said she hoped the SNP would replace Humza Yousaf with someone who could “command the confidence of the parliament” and lead a minority administration.

Humza Yousaf travelling from his home in Dundee to Edinburgh

09:46 , Alexander Butler

Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf has been pictured getting into a car outside his home in Dundee, where he will travel to Edinburgh.

There is a growing presence outside his official residency of Bute House, where he is expected to give a resignation speech. It is around a 1 hour and 30 minute drive between Dundee and Edinburgh.

Alex Salmond says Alba support for SNP is dependent on push for Scottish independence

09:30 , Alexander Butler

Salmond says Alba support for SNP is dependent on independence push

Watch: Scottish Greens confirm they will vote against Humza Yousaf in no confidence motion

09:25 , Alexander Butler

Scottish Greens confirm they will vote against Humza Yousaf in no confidence motion

Humza Yousaf set to resign today

09:22 , Alexander Butler

Humza Yousaf is expected to announce his resignation as Scotland’s First Minister later today.

The SNP leader will quit ahead of a vote of no confidence at Holyrood which was expected to take place on Wednesday.

The result of that vote appeared to be on a knife-edge, with Mr Yousaf struggling to secure enough support to see off the attempt to oust him.

‘The moment of when is perhaps upon us’, Labour MSP says

09:05 , Alexander Butler

A Labour MSP has said the “moment of when” is upon Holyrood amid reports Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf will resign.

Paul O’Kane, a Labour MSP, told the Good Morning Scotland programme: “We’ve been saying across the weekend it’s a matter of when not if.

“The moment of when is perhaps upon us.This has been a story of chaos and the government is clearly in chaos and is failing the people of Scotland.”

Scottish people should have chance to vote, Labour says

08:51 , Alexander Butler

Scottish people should have the chance to vote in a Holyrood election due to “chaos” under the SNP, Labour’s deputy national campaign coordinator has said.

Ellie Reeves told Sky News: “No-one voted for Humza Yousaf and given all of the chaos I think there should be an election up in Scotland so that people in Scotland can have their say on what’s happening up there.

“At the moment they are being failed by an SNP government in Holyrood and a Conservative Government in Westminster.”

Yousaf will ‘jump before he’s pushed’, Scottish Tory MSP says

08:35 , Alexander Butler

Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf will “jump before he’s pushed” due to Tory opposition, a Scottish Conservative MSP said.

“If reports are true, Humza Yousaf will jump before he’s pushed - thanks to sustained and strong opposition from the Scottish Conservatives,” Russell Findlay MSP said.

Scotland’s beleaguered first minister Humza Yousaf on the brink

08:29 , Alexander Butler

Scotland’s beleaguered first minister Humza Yousaf on the brink

What do the motions say?

08:24 , Archie Mitchell

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross’s motion would see Holyrood express no confidence in Yousaf “in light of his failures in government”.

Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s would see MSPs express that they have no confidence in the Scottish government, which is an important distinction.

If MSPs backed Ross’s amendment, the first minister would come under major political pressure to step aside, but he would not be legally bound to. Ross has said he will support Labour’s motion.

However, under the 1998 Scotland Act, if MSPs expressed no confidence in the government Yousaf would have to tender his resignation to the King.

His resignation would spark a 28-day period in which the SNP would be able to replace him, but if a candidate can not command the support of the house, an extraordinary general election would be called.

Holyrood’s parliamentary bureau decides which motions are debated and voted on in the chamber, with the Scottish Tory motion likely to take precedence if both are not picked as they are the second largest party.

The votes Humza Yousaf is facing

08:13 , Alexander Butler

1. A motion from the Scottish Conservatives focused on Yousaf himself as first minister. It is non-binding, although it would be hard for him to remain in post if it was carried

2. A Scottish Labour motion which would force the whole Scottish government to resign if passed

The parliamentary bureau, made up of the presiding officer and MSPs from the main parties, will decide this week when the vote takes place and normally gives two days notice.

Leader of the Scottish Greens calls on Yousaf to step down

08:02 , Alexander Butler

Patrick Harvie, the leader of the Scottish Greens, has reiterated calls for Scotland’s First Minister to stand down.

Humza Yousaf is facing a no-confidence vote after walking away from the SNP’s power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens last Thursday.

“I don’t think Humza Yousaf any more is in a position to be able to lead”, Mr Harvie told the Radio 4 Today programme, adding: “I don’t think there is anything that Humza Yousaf will be able to say to restore the trust he has broken.”

What was the Bute House Agreement?

08:01 , Alexander Butler

The confidence motion was tabled after Mr Yousaf, who replaced the once dominant Nicola Sturgeon, ended the Bute House agreement, which saw the SNP and Greens cooperate on climate and other policies.

After the May 2021 Scottish parliament election, the SNP - then led by Ms Sturgeon - emerged as the largest party but failed to win an overall majority.

The Scottish Greens saw their best-ever result with eight MSPs, enough to give the two pro-independence parties a working majority at Holyrood.

Negotiations began soon after the election and the deal cleared its final hurdle at the end of August 2021 when Green members voted to approve it – with 1,169 members (83 per cent) backing the deal, 234 voting against and nine abstaining.

The Bute House Agreement takes its name from the first minister’s official residence in Edinburgh, where the draft deal was signed.

Humza Yousaf confidence vote: What does it mean for first minister and SNP leader?

First minister ‘considering resigning'

07:54 , Alexander Butler

Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf is “considering resigning” in the face of a no confidence vote set to take place this week.

The Scottish National Party leader could “call it quits” as early as today after the collapse of his power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens last week, senior SNP sources said.

The 39-year-old, who now runs a minority administration at Holyrood, sacked the Greens on Thursday and they have joined the opposition in confirming they will vote to oust him.