Humza Yousaf to officially resign as Scotland's First Minister to make way for John Swinney

Humza Yousaf is expected to formally resign as Scotland’s First Minister on Tuesday as he makes way for John Swinney to take over the role.

The outgoing FM announced his resignation last week following the threat of being ousted.

That was sparked by his shock decision to end the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens and sack their co-leaders from government.

He was replaced as SNP leader by Swinney on Monday after running unopposed and is set to be succeeded as First Minister on Tuesday afternoon.

Once Yousaf has officially tendered his resignation he will deliver a speech to MSPs this afternoon before a vote is held on electing Scotland’s seventh first minister.

Humza Yousaf has quit as First Minister of Scotland in the face of being ousted with John Swinney set to replace him. STV News

With the SNP two short of a majority in the 129-seat Scottish Parliament, Swinney will need the backing – or abstention – of at least one opposition party to become leader.

Scottish Labour, the LibDems and the Tories have ruled this out meaning the SNP will need to rely on the Greens.

They have suggested they could work with Swinney, despite their support for ousting Yousaf.

Once Swinney is voted in by a simple majority of MSPs he will begin assembling his Cabinet, expected to include former leadership contender Kate Forbes.

He won’t officially be the first minister until he is sworn in.

That’s expected to happen on Wednesday and will involve a ceremony at the court of session where he will take the oath of office and pledge allegiance to the King.

He will face his inaugural First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.