Humza Yousaf's leadership teeters on brink as he faces two confidence votes

First Minister intends to fight a vote of no confidence tabled after he disbanded his coalition

First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks during a press conference at Bute House, Edinburgh, after the First Minister terminated the Bute House agreement. PA

Humza Yousaf has said he will not resign as Scotland's First Minister despite facing two votes of no confidence, which could bring down his administration.

Scottish Labour has tabled a motion against the whole Scottish government, while the Conservatives have tabled one specifically about Mr Yousaf. That motion is backed by Mr Yousaf's former allies the Scottish Greens who he dropped from his coalition on Thursday.

The Scottish National Party leader ended the alliance after scrapping a climate change emissions reduction target last week.

A Glasgow-born son of immigrants from Pakistan and Kenya, Mr Yousaf, who is Muslim, is the first person from a minority ethnic background to become the First Minister of Scotland.

He has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, where members of his wife's family became trapped following Israel's retaliation against Hamas.

Mr Yousaf visited a housing development in Dundee after hurriedly cancelling a speech on independence on Friday.

Speaking to broadcasters, he said he will not stand down and intends to fight the vote of no confidence in him lodged by the Tories.

Asked if he would work with Alba Party Holyrood leader Ash Regan, whose vote could be potentially critical to his survival, the First Minister said he would be writing to all leaders, inviting them to a meeting in an attempt to “make minority government work”.

Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: "It's a matter now of when - not if - Humza Yousaf will step down as First Minister.

"It would be untenable for the SNP to assume it can impose another unelected first minister on Scotland."

Mr Yousaf cancelled a planned speech on Friday, as SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn insisted the First Minister will "come out fighting".

Mr Yousaf was due to speak about the labour strategy in an independent Scotland at Strathclyde University.

It comes as the Alba Party MSP whose vote could be crucial to Mr Yousaf's future has written to the First Minister, setting out demands in exchange for her support in a vote of no confidence in him.

Ash Regan, a former SNP minister who defected to Alex Salmond's party, said she wants to see progress on Scottish independence and defending "the rights of women and children".

Her Bill would seek a referendum to ask the Scottish public if Holyrood should have the powers to negotiate and legislate for Scottish independence.

The SNP leader dramatically brought the power-sharing deal with the Greens to an end on Thursday, leaving him facing a backlash which could potentially cost him his job.

A tight vote is expected at Holyrood next week, and since the SNP have 63 out of the 128 MSPs, Ms Regan's vote would appear to be crucial in getting Mr Yousaf over the line.

Scotland's Humza Yousaf through the years - in pictures

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf speaks during a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, where he said he will resign as Scottish National Party chief and the country's leader. PA

Mr Yousaf speaks to the media during a visit to Dundee in April. His appearance came as Scottish opposition parties called for a confidence vote after the collapse of his power-sharing deal with the Green Party. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf holds a press conference in Edinburgh as he announces the SNP's withdrawal from the Bute House Agreement. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf joins members of the public as they attend a march in Glasgow calling for an independent Scotland, in April. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf takes part in a dance performance during a visit to DN Studios in Edinburgh in March. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf and his new cabinet pose at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, in February. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf speaks during the launch of the SNP general election campaign at Oran Mor in Glasgow, in January. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf during Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day at the Scottish Parliament in December. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf engages with pupils during Scotland's Book Week at Craigentinny Primary School in Edinburgh, in November. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf lays a wreath during Scotland's Remembrance Sunday Event at Edinburgh City Chambers, in November. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf with his wife Nadia El-Nakla after his speech at the SNP conference in October. PA

Mr Yousaf speaking at a service of solidarity at Giffnock Newton Mearns Synagogue in October. PA

Mr Yousaf with hundreds of supporters of Scottish independence during a march in Edinburgh in September. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf outside the Court of Session in Edinburgh, after being sworn in as First Minister of Scotland in March 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf signs the nomination form to become First Minister of Scotland, watched by his wife Nadia El Nakla, daughter Amal and step-daughter Maya, in March 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf speaks after being elected as new Scottish National Party leader in Edinburgh, in March 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf with his mother Shaaista and father Muzaffar in Glasgow as he campaigns to become the next leader of the Scottish National Party, in February 2023. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf visits Monklands Hospital in Airdrie in 2021, when he was health secretary. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf, justice minister at the time, attends a Ministerial Statement in Edinburgh in 2020. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf with Nicola Sturgeon, leader of the ruling SNP at the time, at the count for the Scottish Parliament elections in 2016 in Glasgow. Getty Images

Angela Constance and Mr Yousaf after being sworn in as Scottish MPs in Edinburgh in 2016. Getty Images

Mr Yousaf speaks during the SNP conference in Aberdeen in 2015. Getty Images

Alex Salmond, SNP leader at the time, with Mr Yousaf at the Scottish Parliament in 2011. Getty Images

Mr Flynn told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday: "Humza Yousaf is a man of profound integrity. I had a conversation with Humza last night.

"He was reflective, but he was also very clear to me that he's going to come out fighting because he believes in what he says.

"He believes in delivering for the people for Scotland. He believes in creating jobs and opportunities for the next generation."

Asked if Mr Yousaf would be speaking to the Greens ahead of the vote, Mr Flynn said: "I would anticipate so, just as I would anticipate there would be conversations with others as well."

Mr Flynn also said he expects Mr Yousaf to win the confidence vote and continue as party leader and First Minister.

Speaking to Radio 4 later, Mr Flynn suggested he would not stand to be SNP leader if Mr Yousaf were to be ousted.

Ms Regan, a former Scottish Government minister, posted a copy of her letter to Mr Yousaf on social media.

It said: "Independence for Scotland, protecting the dignity, safety and rights of women and children, and providing a competent government for our people and businesses across Scotland remain my priorities.

"My door is open to discussing the progress of my proposed Scottish Parliament Powers Referendum Bill."

The Bute House Agreement gave the SNP-led government a majority at Holyrood but it came under strain in recent days after the Greens said they would put the future of the deal to a vote by their members.

Some in the Greens were unhappy after the government dropped a 2030 climate target, and over the decision to pause the prescription of new puberty blockers at Scotland's only gender clinic for young people.

With the Greens voting in favour of the no-confidence motion, there would be 64 out of 128 MSPs who do not back the First Minister.

Alba leader Mr Salmond said Ms Regan is now the "most powerful MSP in the Scottish Parliament".

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone can cast tiebreaking votes but would be expected to vote in favour of the status quo.

Any vote is likely to take place next week, with timings to be confirmed by parliamentary authorities.

The SNP leader has accused the Tories of game-playing, insisting the power-sharing deal with the Greens had "served its purpose" and lasted 19 times longer than Liz Truss's premiership.

The party was thrown into turmoil by a police investigation into its finances, which saw former chief executive, Nicola Sturgeon's husband Peter Murrell, charged by police recently with embezzling funds from the SNP.