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Humza Yousaf live updates: SNP leader resigns as Scotland's first minister - BBC News Humza Yousaf live updates: SNP leader resigns as Scotland's first minister - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Ash Regan, who is the Alba party's sole MSP, says she is willing to work with the next leader of the Scottish National Party.
The SNP's former leader in Westminster Ian Blackford says Humza Yousaf has “done the right thing by standing down” and “deserves credit for the leadership he's shown by doing that”. Hamza Yousaf turned down a chance to cut a deal with Regan, which could have potentially seen him survive a confidence vote and cling on as first minister.
He says he is “so sad” to see Yousaf resign and paid tribute to his record in government. Regan - who defected from the SNP in 2022 - says "bizarrely some forces in Humza Yousaf's own party would rather see him resign than deal with a party who really want to advance independence".
However, he says there were growing "strains" in the Bute House agreement - the power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens- and there had been an “element of misstep” in how the SNP leader ended the deal. She continues: "However, a new SNP leader and a new first minister will not change parliamentary arithmetic.
Blackford adds it was “regrettable” that the SNP could not find an agreement with the Scottish Greens, but he thought Yousaf could have survived the two confidence votes. "I continue to stand ready to work in the best interests of Scotland and to advance the cause of Scottish independence."
Looking towards a SNP leadership contest, he says former Deputy First Minister John Swinney has the characteristics to lead the party through to a general election.
“John is the man who has what it takes to lead us, I think,” Blackford says.
"He is certainly an individual that carries widespread respect in the party and the country," he adds.
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