Yousaf considers quitting as Scotland’s first minister ahead of no-confidence votes

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Scotland’s beleaguered first minister Humza Yousaf is considering quitting ahead of crunch votes of no confidence expected this week.

Yousaf, who faces two attempts to bring down his premiership and government, is set to decide whether to resign on Monday, according to one person briefed on the matter.

Over the weekend, the Scottish National party leader’s team has been considering options to win enough support to be able to carry on as a minority government.

Senior SNP figures have been holding talks with the Scottish Greens, Yousaf’s erstwhile coalition partners whom he booted out of government last week, triggering the current political crisis.

On Monday morning Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “I don’t think there is anything that Humza Yousaf will be able to say that can restore the trust that he has broken.”

The SNP has 63 Holyrood seats, versus 65 for opposition parties. Yousaf would need to persuade one opposition MSP to vote for him and his government in no confidence motions to secure his position.

Yousaf has also been considering seeking support from Ash Regan, the sole MSP from rival nationalist party Alba, led by former first minister Alex Salmond. But the SNP has ruled out the notion of a formal pact with Alba.