HUMZA Yousaf has resigned as First Minister of Scotland.

Mr Yousaf – who had been in the role since March last year, when he succeeded Nicola Sturgeon – announced he would be stepping down as First Minister and leader of the SNP at Bute House at 12pm today.

His resignation followed days of turmoil after Mr Yousaf terminated the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens which had seen the two parties govern in coalition.

He was set to face a no-confidence vote brought by the Conservatives and the Greens were set to join other parties in voting to oust him as First Minister, leaving his political future in the balance.

It had been widely rumoured that Mr Yousaf would announce his resignation today before that vote could take place.

In his resignation speech, the First Minister said that he had "clearly underestimated the level of hurt and upset" that he had caused the Greens by cancelling the Bute House Agreement.

He said that a "route through" to him winning the no-confidence vote "was possible", he added: "I am not willing to trade my values or principles simply for retaining power."

And he stated: "I've concluded that repairing a relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm."

Mr Yousaf said that he would continue to serve as First Minister and lead the SNP until a successor was elected.

A leadership contest is now set to take place to become the new First Minister, with former Depute First Minister John Swinney rumoured to be considering a leadership bid.