Government crisis in Scotland: Prime Minister Humza Yousaf announces his resignation

The choice of continuity would be John Swinney, the party’s former number two, a highly respected veteran of Scottish politics. It would be up to him to lead the party and the Government towards new elections.

Yousaf, elected just over a year ago as Western Europe’s first Muslim prime minister, has not had an easy time in his year in power. Considered the “dolphin” of Sturgeon, the very popular leader who has dominated Scottish politics for the last two decades, despite herself, was involved in the scandal that engulfed the former prime minister and her husband.

Police Scotland have formally charged long-time SNP chief executive Peter Murrell, accusing him of embezzlement for stealing campaign funds for a second independence referendum. Sturgeon was also sensationally arrested and questioned, but then released without any charges.

The scandal does not directly involve Yousaf, but it has severely damaged the party, which according to polls has lost support and is now neck and neck with Labor. In his farewell speech on Monday the Prime Minister reiterated his belief that the SNP will lead Scotland to independence from the United Kingdom.

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