Yousaf thanks Charles for his ‘counsel and kindness’
HUMZA Yousaf thanked King Charles for his ‘kindness’ as he officially tendered his resignation as First Minister.
In a letter to the monarch, Mr Yousaf acknowledged the counsel the King had given him and the kindness he had displayed to him and his wife, Nadia El-Nakla.
In his letter, sent yesterday morning just hours before John Swinney was voted in by MSPs as his successor, Mr Yousaf said: ‘With my humble duty, I write as anticipated in my letter to Your Majesty of 29 April to tender to Your Majesty my resignation from the office of First Minister.
‘I propose that my resignation take effect from the start of Scottish parliamentary plenary business on Tuesday 7 May 2024.
‘Throughout my time as First Minister, I have been most grateful for your counsel and the kindness you have shown to both Nadia and I.
‘It has been my pleasure to serve Your Majesty and the people of Scotland since March 2023.’
Mr Yousaf announced his intention to stand down last week.
He said he would stay in post until a successor had been selected.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Yousaf said: ‘Being the First Minister of the country I love, the country I am raising my family in, and the only country I will ever call home, has been a phenomenal honour.
‘As a young Muslim boy, born and raised in Scotland, I could never have dreamt that one day I would have the privilege of leading my country – people who looked like me were not in positions of political influence, let alone leading governments when I was younger.
‘I am proud to have delivered a council tax freeze for households in every local authority in Scotland, invested record amounts in our National Health Service, removed peak fares on our railways and approved plans for Europe’s largest floating offshore wind farm.
‘And through our actions, an estimated 100,000 children are expected to be kept out of poverty this year.
‘From the backbenches of the Scottish parliament, I will continue to champion the rights and the voices of those who are often not heard, be they at home or abroad.’
Mr Yousaf also gave a statement to MSPs as he formally stood down. He spoke of the ‘entrenched tribalism’ in Scottish politics but said he would remember the ‘kindness and generosity’ of colleagues across the political divide.
Mr Yousaf insisted he intends to be an ‘active contributor’ to parliament from the backbenches.
He also used his final speech as First Minister to issue another plea for a ceasefire in Gaza.
‘The only country I will ever call home’