HUMZA Yousaf is not considering his position but will instead “come out fighting”, this paper has been told in response to reports to the contrary.
Late on Thursday evening, The Times reported that Yousaf was thinking about resignation after scrapping the Bute House Agreement with the Greens left him facing a knife-edge no-confidence vote.
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However, this paper has been told by multiple sources that the reports are off the mark, and Yousaf will hold firm.
One senior Scottish Government insider said: “No, he’s not. He’s coming out fighting.”
They pointed to a tweet from STV’s Colin Mackay which said: “I’m told that Humza Yousaf will not resign as FM tomorrow!
“It seems though that as [The Times’s Kieran Andrews] says there is some position considering.”
They insisted Mackay had it right the first time and Yousaf would not be resigning.
Another source close to the First Minister issued a flat denial of reports Yousaf was considering his position.
Earlier in the day, the First Minister’s official spokesperson had declined to answer when asked if Yousaf would step down if he loses an upcoming no-confidence vote tabled by the Scottish Conservatives.
The spokesperson insisted the question was a “hypothetical”.
It came after Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, in a fiery clash at FMQs, announced he would seek a no-confidence vote in Yousaf as First Minister, seeking to capitalise on Yousaf losing a majority in the parliament by ditching the Bute House Agreement.
Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater were summoned to a meeting early on Thursday and dismissed as ministers, leaving the SNP leader at the head of a minority government.
READ MORE: Inside the room as Humza Yousaf sacked the Scottish Greens from government
The furious Green group later announced they would be backing the Tories’ no-confidence motion.
The seven Greens, along with the Conservatives (31 MSPs), Labour (22 MSPs), and LibDems (four MSPs) command 64 seats in the Scottish parliament – one more than the SNP who have 63.
Alba defector Ash Regan has been left holding the deciding vote. If she backs Yousaf, the presiding officer is expected to side with the status quo and he will survive.
If Regan votes against him, Yousaf will be under immense pressure to step down.
Regan has said she will be writing to the First Minister on Friday with a list of requests in exchange for her support, which is expected to include “protecting women’s rights”.
A former SNP minister, the Alba MSP resigned from government over the Gender Reform Bill in late 2022.
However, the SNP’s LGBT wing, Out for Independence, said in a statement Yousaf had assured them there would not be rolling back on trans rights.
The group said: “Following the dissolution of the Bute House Agreement today, the First Minister reached out and offered a meeting with our co-conveners, Emily and Kilian, along with representatives from some of the other affiliate organisations.
“He has provided reassurances that today’s news does not mean a change in course for our party when it comes to our commitment to a progressive and equal Scotland.
“The SNP’s commitment to delivering a ban on conversion practices and furthering trans rights remains as strong as ever.
“These are SNP policies and will remain SNP policies with, or without, the Greens.”
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