Scotland’s First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has resigned after facing the prospect of defeat in two confidence votes.

Yousaf, who was appointed on 29 March 2023, became the youngest person, first Scottish Asian, and first Muslim to serve in office.

He resigned after serving for one year and one month and requested a leadership contest for his replacement.

He plans to stay on as First Minister until a successor is elected. Yousaf, a Glasgow-born son of immigrants from Pakistan and Kenya, was the first person from a minority ethnic background to become the First Minister of Scotland. Scotland took the leader to its heart after his repeated calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The pro-independence SNP’s fortunes have faltered amid a police investigation into its finances, the resignation of former leader Nicola Sturgeon last year, and infighting over how progressive its pitch should be as it seeks to woo back voters.