Moray MP Douglas Ross says Humza Yousaf “failed the people of Moray” after First Minister announces resignation

MORAY MP Douglas Ross says Humza Yousaf has “repeatedly failed the people of Moray and Scotland” following the First Minster’s resignation announcement this afternoon.

Reading a statement at Bute House in Edinburgh, Mr Yousaf said that he will stand down as First Minister once a successor is found.

The announcement comes after the collapse of the SNP’s power-sharing deal with the Greens with Mr Yousaf stating that someone else would need to take over to "repair our relationship across the political divide".

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross had lodged a motion of no confidence in Mr Yousaf hours after the First Minister announced the end of the power sharing agreement last week.

He has now called on the next First Minister to focus on the “real priorities” of communities across Scotland.

Mr Ross said: "Humza Yousaf has repeatedly failed the people of Moray and Scotland as a whole.

"Thanks to the pressure brought about by my planned Vote of No Confidence, he has resigned rather than face a humiliating defeat.

"On a personal level, I wish Humza and his family well.

"However, we cannot ignore how his weak leadership has damaged people, communities and businesses across Moray over the course of his year as First Minister.

"His deal with the Greens has meant any progress on dualling the A96 has been kicked into the long grass and the tens of thousands of workers in our oil and gas sector in the North East have been abandoned.

"Humza Yousaf's central-belt focused approach to government meant that communities like Burghead and Hopeman who are desperate for GP surgeries were routinely ignored.

"The next First Minister must start focusing on the real priorities of rural Scotland, rather than pushing their independence obsession at every turn.”