Yousaf: I’m not quitting

UNDER-FIRE Humza Yousaf has insisted he will not quit as Scotland's First Minister as he fights to cling on to power.

- Martyn Brown

The SNP leader said yesterday he intended to win next week's crunch no-confidence vote.

The Scottish Conservatives put forward the motion against Mr Yousaf as First Minister. Labour has submitted a similar motion, saying the party has no confidence in the Government.

If passed, this could lead to a Scottish Parliament election.

On a visit to a housing development in Dundee, arranged at short notice after he pulled out of a speech in Glasgow, Mr Yousaf accused opposition parties of "political game playing".

He said: "I fully intend to not just win that vote, but I intend to fight to make sure that the Government continues to deliver on the priorities of the people." The vote of Mr Yousaf's ex-SNP leadership rival Ash Regan, now the Alba Party's sole MSP, could be critical to his survival.

Conditions

Asked whether he would work with her, the First Minister said he would be inviting all leaders to a meeting, in an attempt to "make minority Government work".