PATRICK Harvie has said it is “pretty clear” the First Minister will have to step down – as Humza Yousaf insisted he would fight on.
The Scottish Greens co-leader was sacked in dramatic fashion by Yousaf on Thursday morning and has recommitted that his MSPs have no confidence in the First Minister.
They are expected to back a Tory confidence motion aimed at ousting Yousaf from his position.
It is understood the Scottish Greens are also contemplating backing a Labour confidence motion against the Government.
Harvie said the SNP must now find someone to replace Yousaf, who earlier on Friday vowed to fight on after he threw his government into chaos by binning his deal with the Scottish Greens.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Harvie said: “Very clearly, he doesn’t have the confidence of parliament I think that’s going to be clear. We said very clearly the responsibility of the decision is on him. He needs to bear the consequences of that reckless and damaging decision.
READ MORE: Green MSP signals he WON'T back Labour efforts to oust Humza Yousaf
“I think it’s pretty clear he’s not the person who is going to be able to bring together a majority of parliament.”
Asked if there was any way back for Yousaf in terms of working with the Greens, he said the First Minister had “broken trust,” adding: “He still hasn’t really given any clarity on why he made such a dramatic U-turn and broken a promise on which he was elected as First Minister.
“So it’s very difficult to see how you can have a conversation that leads to a constructive outcome on the basis of that lack of trust.”
But Yousaf (above) is determined to stay in post, telling journalists on a visit to a housing estate in Dundee he was not resigning and had not considered his position.
Yousaf said: “I intend absolutely to fight that vote of no confidence, I’ve got every intention of winning that vote of no confidence.
“And let me say to the opposition for minority government to work in the interest of the people of Scotland also requires the opposition to act in good faith.
READ MORE: Inside the room as Humza Yousaf sacked the Scottish Greens from government
“And to the Greens I’ve obviously heard their anger, their upset.
“What I will do is be writing to all the political party leaders, all the party groups represented in the Scottish Parliament including of course Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater asking them to meet with me, to say how do we make minority government work. It’s in the best interests of the people of Scotland that all of us act in good faith and make it work.”
He insisted it was “not the intention” to anger and upset the Scottish Greens by firing Harvie and Lorna Slater from his government, adding that he had “really valued” their contributions.
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