Douglas Ross has responded to Humza Yousaf’s “humiliating and embarrassing” letter seeking the support of other party leaders. The First Minister, in an abject bid to save his position, wrote to the Scottish Conservative leader begging for a meeting at Bute House.
In response, Douglas Ross has bluntly told Humza Yousaf that his “time in power is over” and that he must now tender his resignation as First Minister.
In his letter, the SNP leader begged for a chance to “discuss concerns and priorities”, which he has repeatedly ignored in favour of his independence obsession. But he has shown no sign of remorse for the damage his policies have inflicted on Scotland, or offered any proposals to reverse them.
Douglas Ross said: “This is a humiliating and embarrassing letter, in which Humza Yousaf is begging to be allowed to keep his job. His belated abandonment of the Bute House Agreement with the toxic Greens – which he was backing just two days before he finally decided to pull the plug – does nothing to undo the immense damage it has caused.
“Our NHS, schools, police and public services have all been profoundly hit by the spectacular mismanagement of the SNP-Green government under his leadership, and his last minute U-turn offers nothing to repair that.
“Humza Yousaf now talks about delivering “substantial benefits for people, communities and businesses right across the country”, and only wants to discuss “concerns and… priorities” now that his job is on the line.
“It is his abject failure to have prioritised these issues that has led to a complete lack of confidence in his leadership across the parliament. He should now accept that his time in power is over, and finally offer his resignation as First Minister.
“If he doesn’t do so before the Scottish Conservative vote of no confidence in him next week, his future as First Minister rests on a vote that is currently so finely balanced that his credibility as a leader will be utterly destroyed, whatever the result.”