HUMZA Yousaf has announced his resignation as Scotland’s First Minister ahead of forthcoming confidence votes.
Yousaf had been battling for his political survival after terminating the powersharing deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens on Thursday.
He was facing a vote of no confidence, tabled by the Scottish Conservatives, while Scottish Labour had tabled one of no confidence in the Scottish Government as a whole, with both expected to take place this week.
READ MORE: LIVE: Humza Yousaf announces resignation as First Minister
Announcing his resignation at a press conference at Edinburgh’s Bute House on Monday, he said: “After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, I’ve 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 ask that she commences a leadership contest for my replacement as soon as possible.”
As Yousaf concluded his speech, he became emotional as he addressed his family.
"I am in absolute debt to my wonderful wife, my beautiful children, and my wider family for putting up with me over the years, " he told viewers. "I'm afraid you'll be seeing a lot more of me from now.
"You are truly everything to me."
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He went on to speak of his sadness at his time as First Minister coming to an end, but went on to say he was so grateful and "so blessed" for the last year.
"Who could ask for a better country to lead than Scotland?" he asked, before leaving the podium and taking no questions.
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