Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has announced his resignation today, a little over a year after he became the leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP).

Yousaf, who made history in March 2023 when he became the first-ever Muslim leader of a Western European democracy, has decided to step down from the highest post in Scotland after a tumultuous few days in which he controversially ended a power-sharing agreement with the Greens, forming a minority government.

The decision led to the prospect of Mr Yousaf facing two no-confidence votes, one in himself and one in the administration. Although he could have survived the vote, as the SNP and the Alba Party (led by former SNP leader Alex Salmond) together could have ensured a 64-64 split in Holyrood, Yousaf was unwilling to make particular compromises to Alba, and instead resigned despite pledging not to do so a few days prior. The Greens, Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Conservatives all would have voted in favour of the no-confidence vote, meaning the vote of the Alba Party's sole MSP, Ash Regan, would have been critical.

At 39, Humza Yousaf was the youngest Scottish First Minister in history, and upon announcing his resignation, said his tenure was proof multiculturalism is flourishing in the UK, claiming it is an aspect of British society that "we should all celebrate".

Whilst he will remain leader until a successor is chosen, the race to become the next leader of the SNP is already heating up, with names such as former deputy leader John Swinney and Yousaf's former leadership rival, Kate Forbes, being thrown into the mix by experts. With Westminster elections inching closer, political parties such as Labour will seek to take advantage of existing chaos in the SNP in order to try to win more seats.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed he will work with Mr Yousaf's successor on the "real issues that matter to people" so Holyrood and Westminster can "deliver on their priorities".