HUMZA Yousaf has announced his resignation as First Minister and leader of the SNP.

It comes as Yousaf was set to face two confidence votes in Holyrood – one specifically in his leadership and one in the Scottish Government.

Here’s everything you need to know about what will happen now Yousaf has decided to stand down.

What happens now that Yousaf has resigned as SNP leader?

Yousaf's resignation is likely to trigger a leadership contest. 

READ MORE: Who are the favourites to replace Humza Yousaf as SNP leader?

Prior to Sturgeon standing down, the SNP had not held a proper leadership election since 2004 as Sturgeon was elected unopposed in 2014.

However, Yousaf went head to head with Kate Forbes (below) and Ash Regan in a bid to become leader after Sturgeon announced her resignation

The National: Scottish National Party leadership election

According to the SNP’s constitution, a candidate for leader must have the nominations of at least 100 members, drawn from at least 20 branches.

What about his role as First Minister?

Yousaf’s predecessor did not officially submit her resignation as first minister to King Charles III until the end of the SNP leadership election.

The Scottish Parliament was then asked to recommend who the King should appoint as a new first minister.

READ MORE: LIVE: Humza Yousaf 'considers standing down' as First Minister

Any MSP could theoretically stand for election as first minister. In addition to Yousaf last time out, the leaders of the Scottish Tories, Scottish Labour and the Scottish LibDems also stood although the current First Minister was of course successfully nominated, winning 71 votes in total.

What happens now?

Yousaf has said he is staying in place until a successor is chosen.

Had Yousaf decided to immediately stand down as First Minister, rather than wait until after the election of a new SNP leader, then the Parliament would have had 28 days to choose a new FM via a simple majority.

If that was not possible, the Scottish Parliament would be dissolved and a Holyrood election called.

Will he still face confidence votes? 

Prior to announcing his resignation, Yousaf was facing confidence votes against him in his role as First Minister and his Government, tabled by the Tories and Labour, respectively. 

There has been no suggestion to the contrary either of these will no longer go ahead. 

But their chances of success seem likely, with a Scottish Greens insider saying they will back the Government in both instances.