Humza Yousaf: Opposition reaction with calls for an election

Anas Sarwar, Scottish Labour Leader, thanked Yousaf for his public service and in particular “the dignified way in which he acted while his loved ones faced danger in Gaza”.

He said: “I wish him and his family the best for the future.

“For Scottish Labour, this has never been about one person – this is about 17 years of SNP failure.

“The fact is this is a crisis of the SNP’s making and it appears they will yet again put party before country while Scots are being failed every day.

“The SNP are a divided party which is out of ideas and incapable of rising to the challenges Scotland faces."

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Labour has lodged a motion of no confidence in the government which could trigger an election.

Sarwar added: “They cannot impose another unelected First Minister on Scotland in a backroom deal – the people of Scotland should decide who leads our country.

“There must be an election – it’s time for change and Scottish Labour is ready to deliver it.”

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Alister Jack, Conservative MP and Scottish Secretary, said: “It was the right thing for the First Minister to resign.

“Humza Yousaf’s leadership has lurched from crisis to crisis from the very start, and he could not command the confidence of the Scottish Parliament.

“Scotland now needs a stable, functioning Scottish Government focused on the issues that matter most to people - fixing public services and growing the economy.”

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Alex Cole-Hamilton, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader, said: “Today will be a difficult day for Humza Yousaf. I thank him for his service and I wish him and his family well for the future.

“Humza Yousaf’s resignation hurls the SNP another step closer towards the end. This is a stale government that has been in power too long.

“Scotland needs a new government- one that won’t make empty promises but will get the basics right.”

Scottish Greens said it was the right decision.

Patrick Harvie, Co-leader said: “Humza Yousaf is right to resign. His position was no longer tenable after he broke the bonds of trust with the Scottish Greens and with everyone who wanted a stable, progressive, pro-independence government. 

“It is regrettable that it has ended this way, it didn’t need to. We draw no satisfaction or pleasure from this."

He hinted the party could work with the SNP under a new first minister rather than backing Labour's effort to bring the government down.

Harvie added: “The SNP is still the largest party in Parliament by some distance, and has the right to form a minority government. 

“The Scottish Greens have a long track record of working constructively from opposition and will do so with any First Minister who shares our progressive values and who can secure our confidence. “