Humza Yousaf is considering quitting as Scotland’s first minister as the prospect of winning a vote of confidence becomes increasingly uncertain.
The Guardian understands that a final decision has not yet been made, but that it could come within the next day.
Yousaf precipitated a spiralling crisis in his government on Thursday morning after he blindsided colleagues by ripping up the Bute House agreement with the Scottish Greens, brokered by Nicola Sturgeon after the 2021 Holyrood election, which cemented a progressive pro-independence majority in the Scottish parliament.
The Greens reacted furiously, immediately agreeing to support a motion of no confidence in Yousaf’s leadership brought by the Scottish Conservatives.
With the SNP two votes short of a majority at Holyrood, the parliamentary arithmetic is such this this leaves Yousaf dependent on the vote of the former SNP minister Ash Regan, who defected to Alex Salmond’s Alba party last October in protest at the SNP’s stance on gender recognition reform and lack of progress on independence.
With the prospect of a deal with the party of the former first minster, who has been a vocal critic of Yousaf’s leadership, unpalatable and the Greens remaining unequivocal in their position on Sunday, the first minster must decide whether to dare these other pro-independence parties to bring down an SNP leader or step aside now.
His considerations are further complicated by a a second no-confidence vote against the entire Scottish government, brought by Scottish Labour, which would require the first minister and his ministers to resign if successful.
Patrick Harvie, the leader of the Scottish Greens, reiterated calls for Yousaf to stand down on Monday.
“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.”
Harvie expressed regret over the breakdown in the coalition, but described the first minister’s position as nevertheless untenable. “Everybody understands how deeply regrettable and unnecessary this whole situation was”, he said, adding: “I think it is really important that we return to stability.”