Humza Yousaf is considering resigning as Scotland’s first minister as early as today, Sky News understands.
A senior source has said the embattled SNP leader could “call it quits” later ahead of a key vote of no confidence later this week.
Mr Yousaf is facing two no confidence votes at Holyrood in the coming days after the collapse of his power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.
The 39-year-old, who now runs a minority administration in Edinburgh, sacked the Greens on Thursday and they have joined the opposition in confirming they will vote to oust him.
Talks had been planned with the Alba party which is led by now-bitter rival Alex Salmond. Its only MSP, Ash Regan – who defected from the SNP – was set to cast the deciding vote and determine Mr Yousaf’s future.
The pair had been due to meet this week, with Ms Regan bringing a set of demands as her price of agreement.
But, some senior figures within the SNP had said publicly and privately that would be an electoral disaster and seriously harm the nationalist cause.
One MP said it would go down like a “cup of cold sick”.
Sky News understands Mr Yousaf could now walk on Monday ahead of the vote. However, no final decision has been made.
A source told Sky News on Monday morning the first minister said Mr Salmond pulling the strings behind the scenes would be “doing a deal with the devil”.
In Westminster, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told Sky News: “It does seem an extraordinary mess that he’s managed to get him and the SNP into. That they are now potentially going to be beholden to Alba.
“If you look at the SNP’s record, their obsession with independence, I’m afraid, has led to very poor outcomes when it comes to health, when it comes to education and a number of other areas.”
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