THE BBC has asked Humza Yousaf if he will resign as First Minister if the courts rule that the UK Government’s block of Scottish gender reform can stand.
Yousaf, who only took the position at the head of the Scottish Government two weeks ago, responded with a flat “no”.
The moment came during an interview with the BBC about the challenge to Scottish Secretary Alister Jack’s use of Section 35 of the Scotland Act to block the Gender Reform Recognition Bill from becoming law.
The bill, which would have allowed trans people to self identify as their chosen gender, was passed by MSPs at Holyrood by 86 votes to 39 in December.
READ MORE: Lesley Riddoch: This is the truth about the Section 35 challenge
Yousaf said that it was “important” for devolution to challenge the UK Government’s block on the bill.
He told the BBC: “It’s an important principle. Spending taxpayers’ money on defending the will of the Scottish Parliament, on defending devolution, for me is important.
“This is a bill passed by a majority of parliamentarians, elected by the taxpayers, by the people of Scotland, and therefore it’s so important that we challenge it. If we don’t then the UK Government will veto legislation after legislation after legislation. I’m not prepared to let that happen.”
Yousaf was then asked: “And if you don’t win, will you resign?”
“No,” he responded, leading the BBC reporter to note: “That was a clear answer.”
Listen as a Humza Yousaf is asked if he'll resign as FM. We can't stop laughing at this, especially the FM's response. BBC Scotland is fast becoming comic gold with its political output these days. pic.twitter.com/55iZxLUeGR
— MSM Monitor (@msm_monitor) April 13, 2023
It is not the first time Yousaf has been asked if he will resign during his brief time as First Minister.
At a meeting with the media on Thursday April 6, the SNP leader was asked if he would step down if his party lost 10 MPs at the next General Election. The question was met with laughter from both Yousaf and one of his aides.
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