Dunfermline MP has his say as First Minister stands down

The SNP leader's decision to quit was confirmed in a speech in which he said it had been "the greatest privilege of my life" to have led the country. 

Mr Yousaf said he had "underestimated" the hurt and upset he had caused when ending the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens last week. 

While he insisted that was the right decision he "concluded that repairing our relationship across the divide can only be done with someone else at the helm". 

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Douglas Chapman. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Chapman, the MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, said: “With Humza Yousaf standing down as First Minister, personally, I wish him and his family the very best for the future, especially given the birth of their new baby coming up this summer which is wonderful news.

“Politically, I believe the FM was right to end the Bute House Agreement, which was his decision.

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"We are now about to enter a leadership contest in Scotland as a result.

"I believe that we need a leader who can bring people together and encourage others to act in the best interests of good governance of the nation."

Mr Chapman continued: "I hope that independence, growing our economy, building the stature and status of Scotland internationally, along with addressing the cost-of-living crisis, tackling poverty and climate and energy issues, will be at the very heart of this contest and at the core of a future pro-independence Scottish Government."

After the ending of the Bute House Agreement, Mr Yousaf said he had hoped to continue working with the Greens in a "less formal arrangement".

However the furore that followed meant he was facing two votes of no confidence, one on his leadership and one on his government, and some commentators believe he jumped before he was pushed. 

In his resignation speech Mr Yousaf said: "For a government, let alone a minority government, trust and working with the opposition is clearly fundamental.

"While a route through this week's vote of no confidence was possible, I am not willing to trade my values and principles or do deals with whomever simply for retaining power.

"After spending the weekend reflecting on what's best for my party and the country I lead, I've concluded that repairing our relationship across the divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.

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

He added: "In order to ensure a smooth and orderly transition, it is my intention to continue as First Minister until my successor has been elected, particularly as parliament will be debating some incredibly important legislation in the coming days and the coming weeks.

"I cannot tell you what an honour it is being the First Minister of the country I love, the country I'm raising my family in, and the only country I'll ever call home."