of snp failure, itn— after almost two decades of snp failure, int 22, _ after almost two decades of snpmost two decades of snp . failure, i'm 22, i don't remember a scottand— failure, i'm 22, i don't remember a scotland that — failure, i'm 22, i don't remember a scotland that wasn't _ failure, i'm 22, i don't remember a scotland that wasn't a _ failure, i'm 22, i don't remember a scotland that wasn't a threat - failure, i'm 22, i don't remember a scotland that wasn't a threat in - failure, i'm 22, i don't remember a scotland that wasn't a threat in the failures— scotland that wasn't a threat in the failures of— scotland that wasn't a threat in the failures of the _ scotland that wasn't a threat in the failures of the snp. _ scotland that wasn't a threat in the failures of the snp. i— scotland that wasn't a threat in the failures of the snp. i doubt - scotland that wasn't a threat in the failures of the snp. i doubt the - failures of the snp. i doubt the greens— failures of the snp. i doubt the greens witt— failures of the snp. i doubt the greens will take _ failures of the snp. i doubt

again, the timescale for an snp leadership election is for the snp i leadership election is for the snpide. there will be an appetite to do that quickly if possible and given that humza yousaf has announced his resignation but will remain in post until a successor is elected, i think anyone who is now trying to still propose notions of no confidence is frankly going to look a bit petty. if that is what happens, then it will be pretty transparent that that is just trying to cause chaos and disruption for its own sake and that is not what is in the interest of the country now. patrick harvie, thank you very much. let's just remind ourselves of that moment that humza yousaf stepped down as first minister. my hope was to continue working with the greens in a less formal arrangement as the snp moved into a new phase of minority government. unfortunately, in ending the bute house agreement in the manner that i did, i clearly underestimated the level of hurt and upset i caused green colleagues. for a minority government to be able to govern effectively and efficiently, trust when working with

first. — of the snp leadership contest. first. witi— of the snp leadership contest.ere be a contest? if there is, — first, will there be a contest? if there is, will it be as divisive as there is, will it be as divisive as the test— there is, will it be as divisive as the test one _ there is, will it be as divisive as the last one or not? who will emerge from it? _ the last one or not? who will emerge from it? at _ the last one or not? who will emerge from it? at the moment, there is a certain— from it? at the moment, there is a certain amount of momentum forjohn swinney— certain amount of momentum forjohn swinney who did the job nearly 20 years— swinney who did the job nearly 20 years ago— swinney who did the job nearly 20 years ago and it has to be said, not an entirely— years ago and it has to be said, not an entirely comfortable experience for him _ an entirely comfortable experience for him at — an entirely comfortable experience for him at that time, but what mr swinney— for him at that time, but what mr swinney perhaps is able to do is at least _ swinney perha

for years, you didn't really see many splits within the snp, they were kind of kept in the snp, theyground because you had two hugely powerful and charismatic leaders under alex salmond and nicola sturgeon. that's gone now and the next few months could be just as difficult as the past few months. nick, tell us more about where the party itself goes from here, and who indeed? you talk about kate forbes, but who else might replace humza yousaf? i but who else might replace humza yousaf? ., , but who else might replace humza yousaf? ~' , ., ., ., , yousaf? i think they are two names bein: yousaf? i think they are two names being discussed _ yousaf? i think they are two names being discussed in _ yousaf? i think they are two names being discussed in the _ yousaf? i think they are two names being discussed in the snp - yousaf? i think they are two names being discussed in the snp this - being discussed in the snp this afternoon. john sweeney is one of them, you'll remember he was nicola sturgeon's loyal deputy for years, often by her side at her trickiest moments. he has the backing of pe

a lot of signs that people are coalescing in the snp, some seniorfigures the snp, some senior figures might not run but if he does, the big question is what question does he answer? a lot of people would suggest he could only really be a caretaker leader. this is looking back to the past of the party, someone who was really on their way out and so, there is a concern that he might not be able to solve the underlying problems for the snp, the problems of public services, housing, advancing independence, the social issues and so on. it mightjust be he gets to the general election where the ride will be tough for them and then they had to re—address this issue. will be tough for them and then they had to re-address this issue.- had to re-address this issue. chris, it is not all— had to re-address this issue. chris, it is not all about _ had to re-address this issue. chris, it is not all about here, _ had to re-address this issue. chris, it is not all about here, it _ had to re-address this issue. chris, it is not all about here, it is - it is not all about here, it is about the wider uk,

if few other potential candidates from a group of snps. it candidates from a group of snps.became first minister. it has been a disaster. it is quite hard to escape that because on numerous occasions, humza yousaf has tried to seize the political initiative to get back on the front foot, to announce big policies he hoped would capture the political imagination. he has failed to do it. a lot of snp politicians would tell you and they have a point he was dealt a pretty bad hand. he came in at a time when the snp were starting to see a few issues in the polls, there was then that police investigation into snp funding which led to the arrest of nicola sturgeon. she was released without charge but her husband was later charged. that was all going on in the background but speaking to senior people in the snp over the past 2a hours, they acknowledge humza yousaf hasn't done himself any favours. the biggest mistake potentially is that decision he made on thursday to get rid of the greens from that power—sharing agreement. the argument doesn't go he was wrong to get rid of them, ther

the snp were facing at — on where the snp are today.snp were facing at challenging year i on where the snp are today. the snp were facing at challenging year in i were facing at challenging year in the run—up to the general election and possibly depending on what happened at that point in the run—up to the next scottish parliament election we will have to wait and see what difference a new leader makes and the new first minister makes. there is not a lot of time between now and the likely general election for them to make a difference, but i think you need to be careful not to exaggerate the difficulties the party is in, they are still the strongest party in scotland, so opinion polls suggest they are running neck and neck for they are running neck and neck for the uk general election, so looking a lot brighterfor the labour party in terms of outlook for a number of years and they will hope to be a serious challenger to the snp at the next holyrood election. itrai’heh serious challenger to the snp at the next holyrood election.— serious

will. you be the new snp leader? there is a lot to you be the new snp leader?en _ you be the new snp leader? there is a lot to happen today. _ you be the new snp leader? there is a lot to happen today. could - you be the new snp leader? there is a lot to happen today. could it - you be the new snp leader? there is a lot to happen today. could it be - a lot to happen today. could it be john swinney who led the party two decades ago and had pretty much retired from front—line politics? i am giving very considerable consideration to be the leader of the snp and i am somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made of me to do that, with many messages from many colleagues across the party. so i am giving that issue very active consideration and it is likely i will have more to say about that in the days to come.— the days to come. but what about kate forbes. _ the days to come. but what about kate forbes, the _ the days to come. but what about kate forbes, the former - the days to come. but what about kate forbes, the former finance l kate forbes, the forme

you mentioned in the snp takes next.e downing street statement there, the reference to the gender recognition act. this was an attempt in scotland to make it easier for people to change their legally recognised gender. it was a nicola sturgeon plan. some were surprised that humza yousaf didn't dump it when he became first minister because it had become so controversial. in the end the uk government blocked it. but in terms of the politics of that, there has always been that question about what and snp leader should do. do they try and appeal to those snp members who want to see a lot of reform, want to see the party pursue bold and ambitious policies? 0r want to see the party pursue bold and ambitious policies? or do they listen to people more in the centre who don't? who think you need to be more cautious when you are in power. that is the argument we are starting to hear from that is the argument we are starting to hearfrom kate forbes, assuming she puts her hat in the ring, my expectation is she will. you might hear s

how is the snp doing at the moment, leader. how is the snp doing at the moment. under— leader. _ leader. how is the snp doing at the moment, under the pressure - leader. how is the snp doing at the moment, under the pressure of- leader. how is the snp doing at the moment, under the pressure of a l moment, under the pressure of a general election? i moment, under the pressure of a general election?— general election? i think they are feelin: general election? i think they are feeling the _ general election? i think they are feeling the pressure _ general election? i think they are feeling the pressure from - general election? i think they are feeling the pressure from labour| general election? i think they are l feeling the pressure from labour in scotland when you look at polling. labour is creeping up on the snp. they could be stealing some seats from the snp if polling is anything to go by and they are feeling that pressure on their backs. the snp has not had its troubles since humza yousaf became leader and he is going to want to shore up their position at westminster if his

the question now is can snp , can the question now is can snp, can the snp get their policies throughe they a lame duck administration? it all really hangs on what will be a very dramatic seven days in scottish politics. >> it seems that humza yousaf has really shot himself in the foot here. if he wanted to go about trying to create alliances issue by issue rather than a formal coalition in order to get a budget passed in order to maintain his position there as first minister. he's done it in perhaps the most peculiar way possible. he has completely fidden possible. he has completely ridden roughshod over the democratic process that was taking place within the scottish green party. they were asking their members what they should do, and in the middle of that process, he's gone, no, you're out. it's not a way to win friends and influence people. i find it really hard to imagine how he's going to get anything through parliament now . through parliament now. >> he was acting really as though he's got a majority. he didn't actually have one senior tory in westminster told me last night, we

is for the snp.am no great lover of them as you can— snp. i am no great lover of them as you can imagine. kate forbes is probably— you can imagine. kate forbes is probably the best option they have .ot probably the best option they have got but _ probably the best option they have got but again, they are behind the eight _ got but again, they are behind the eight batt— got but again, they are behind the eight ball with her because they green _ eight ball with her because they green party will never bow down to her in _ green party will never bow down to her in a _ green party will never bow down to her in a million years. the}r green party will never bow down to her in a million years.— her in a million years. they will not bow down _ her in a million years. they will not bow down to _ her in a million years. they will not bow down to her _ her in a million years. they will not bow down to her because i her in a million years. they will. not bow down to her because they are, as they would put it, a r

will you be holding the gun to the snp's will you be holding the gun to the snp�*s head every time there of— that kind of macho language is not kind of the — that kind of macho language is not kind of the way we would take things. — kind of the way we would take things, holding guns to people's heads _ things, holding guns to people's heads. 0k, putting people's arms up their backs — their backs. 0ne - their backs. one of the things that i think is 0ne of the things that i think is really— one of the things that i think is really different in scotland from uk oolitics _ really different in scotland from uk politics is _ really different in scotland from uk politics is this polarised, winner takes _ politics is this polarised, winner takes all— politics is this polarised, winner takes all mentality that comes from a westminster mindset, aid to dominant— a westminster mindset, aid to dominant party system. we have a pr system _ dominant party system. we have a pr system in _ dominant party system. we have a pr system in scotland, a pluralistic parliament... system in scotland, a pluralisti

with— bandwidth has been taken up by the snp with lots of internal party turmoil. — snp with lots of— turmoil, police investigations, quite divisive falling outs over various — quite divisive falling outs over various issues, sol quite divisive falling outs over various issues, so i think lots of people — various issues, so i think lots of peogie in— various issues, so i think lots of people in scotland feel let down by politics and cynical about it right now _ politics and cynical about it right now. �* , ., ~' politics and cynical about it right now. 2 ., ~ ., , now. let's talk about the runners and writers. _ now. let's talk about the runners and writers, potential— now. let's talk about the runners and writers, potential people - now. let's talk about the runners and writers, potential people to i and writers, potential people to replace humza yousaf. we feta few names bandied about, what do you think we will see over the next few weeks westmark it would be interesting because? it is interesting because? it is interesting _ interesting because? it is interesting because - interes

the problem with the snp perhaps, they have had _ problem with the snp perhaps, they have had a _ problem_ government with big majorities, beihg the — government with big majorities, being the biggest party, and some of that has— being the biggest party, and some of that has rubbed off in terms of how they treat _ that has rubbed off in terms of how they treat other political parties. i they treat other political parties. i mean. — they treat other political parties. i mean. i— they treat other political parties. i mean, i don't think they could have _ i mean, i don't think they could have done _ i mean, i don't think they could have done a deal with the tories and labour, _ have done a deal with the tories and labour, but — have done a deal with the tories and labour, but i — have done a deal with the tories and labour, but i suggest a different attitude — labour, but i suggest a different attitude from humza yousaf and others _ attitude from humza yousaf and others could have produced a different _ others could have produced a different outcome. let's take a look at some of the names of

4' ,, snp? i think the snp will get throu~h snp? i think the snp will get through this _ snp?np will get through this week, the - snp? i think the snp will get through this week, the snp l snp? | think the snp will get - through this week, the snp leader has made — through this week, the snp leader has made the _ through this week, the snp leader has made the offer— through this week, the snp leader has made the offer to— through this week, the snp leader has made the offer to talk- through this week, the snp leader has made the offer to talk to - through this week, the snp leaderi has made the offer to talk to other parties _ has made the offer to talk to other parties we — has made the offer to talk to other parties. we have _ has made the offer to talk to other parties. we have a _ has made the offer to talk to other parties. we have a peer— has made the offer to talk to other parties. we have a peer system i has made the offer to talk to other parties. we have a peer system in| parties. we have a peer system in our parliament, _ parties. we have a peer system in our parlia

difficult options ahead for the snp? ~ ., .., , ., for the snp?_ for the snp? we are coming up to the 25th anniversary of— for the snp? we are coming up to the 25th anniversary of the _ for the snp? we are coming up to the 25th anniversary of the scottish - 25th anniversary of the scottish parliament and it is hard to think of a time that has been as politically messy as this. humza yousaf falling on his sword after attempting to appear strong left and fatally weakened, sucking the scottish greens from parliament and then they turned on him. he then having to lead a minority government. finding out he did not have the backing, facing two confidence votes in the scottish parliament. within the space of a few days he has gone from being first minister of scotland to accepting he no longer has the authority to govern and saying he will resign. there are two votes scheduled to take place, two confidence votes, here at the scottish parliament, one in him and one in his government. one is now completely redundant, that in him, the second one feels unlik

- of this mean for the snp? well, it does have huge — of this mean for the snp? this mean for the snp? well, it does have huge implications for i of this mean for the snp? well, it. does have huge implications for the snp, but i think the key thing at the moment is whether we are going to hear about that resignation. we do understand that over the weekend, the first minister did reach out to the first minister did reach out to the other parties by sending letters to the other parties asking them to come and meet him. ash regan, of the alba party, said that she was happy to meet with the first minister. the party leader is alex salmond, and he said the price of ash regan�*s support would be the re—prioritisation of independence. but we do understand that he's unlikely to go for that deal, we understand that one senior snp figures said it would be intolerable for any snp leader to be beholden to alex salmond. alex salmond was of course, a former leader of the snp. and douglas ross, the leader of the scottish conservatives, said he does not expect humza yousaf to su

, — to see isjohn swinney taking over the snp, so i hope you can be commenced.— the snp, so i hope youpointed you _ commenced. some of your supporters might be disappointed you are - commenced. some of your supporters might be disappointed you are not - might be disappointed you are not standing? might be disappointed you are not standin: ? , , , ~ standing? they might be, but i think oliticians standing? they might be, but i think politicians often _ standing? they might be, but i think politicians often think _ standing? they might be, but i think politicians often think they _ standing? they might be, but i think politicians often think they can - standing? they might be, but i think politicians often think they can do i politicians often think they can do everything and ruled the world, but the reality— everything and ruled the world, but the reality is that i know personally that this is not for me, it was— personally that this is not for me, it was never— personally that this is not for me, it was never going to be for me. i have _ it was never going to be for me. i have a _ it w

she said the snp was toxic.t of session upheld the uk government's decision to block the gender recognition bill which had been introduced, of course, by nicola sturgeon , and course, by nicola sturgeon, and then the snp's hate crime act, which came in at the start of this month. if you remember, on april fools day, has proved to be hugely controversial and led to lots and lots of vexatious complaints . and then last complaints. and then last thursday, the former snp chief executive, peter murrell, was charged in connection with embezzlement of party funds. and murrell, of course , is nicola murrell, of course, is nicola sturgeon's husband and now today, humza yousaf is left leading a minority government after the snp's coalition with the greens collapsed. what a year to forget now. there's lots more still to come between now and 4:00. and i'll tell you what the prince of wales has been up to in the west midlands today and we joined him. but first, it's and we joined him. but first, wsfime and we joined him. but

certainly not an snp - ross. certainly not an snp candidate.on of the next scottish parliamentary election. i will not be supporting an snp candidate. when douglas ross puts his name forward, i will gladly vote for him. . ~ his name forward, i will gladly vote for him. ., ,, ,., the issue of pollution in our rivers and seas is something we have covered extensively on breakfast — including its impact on surfers, swimmers and rowers. now, the governing bodies of seven water—based sports are uniting to demand action from the government. john's at a rowing club to tell us more. it looks glorious that. what is it like for people who want to use the morning on this glorious day to have exercise on the water. goad morning on this glorious day to have exercise on the water. good morning, both. it is something _ exercise on the water. good morning, both. it is something we _ exercise on the water. good morning, both. it is something we have - exercise on the water. good morning, both. it is something we have been i both. it is something we have been tal

we are of course continuing as an snp government. they voted for an snp government.work with the greens, we will, of course next week will be a demonstration of the snp led government doing that. so let's continue to work together. we've got a policy agenda we put ahead of the people in 2021, they elected us as the largest party, we continue to be and we will drive forward with that policy and perspective. fit, forward with that policy and perspective-— forward with that policy and ttersective. �* ~' , ., perspective. a key part of your leadership _ perspective. a key part of your leadership campaign _ perspective. a key part of your leadership campaign last i perspective. a key part of your leadership campaign last year| perspective. a key part of your i leadership campaign last year was support— leadership campaign last year was support for— leadership campaign last year was support for the _ leadership campaign last year was support for the deal— leadership campaign last year was support for the deal with - leadership campaign last year was support for the deal wit

even among snp voters.especially. he's relying on support from the, you know, loopy greens, who he just dumped , and ash regan, he just dumped, and ash regan, who he said there was no great loss when she quit the snp . but loss when she quit the snp. but i will say this. i wonder what matthew thinks of this. and lizzie, he is a desperate man in a position of weakness who also happens to be useless at politics. so i think there's a good chance he will make huge, very appealing concessions to get the support he needs. but evenif get the support he needs. but even if, you know, even if he survives this no confidence vote, it's still not looking really good for the snp, especially if he's in place before the election. it's been scandal after disaster after these are disasters . and he's a disaster. >> lee harris, thank you so much. really good to talk to you.thank much. really good to talk to you. thank you. that is our great british voice, lee harris, always so succinct but still to come in today's difficult c

is the agreement with the snp - the cards, this was it. is the i agreement with the snp over?cottish green leaving before the cabinet they were part of was due to meet. the junior partners in government had been threatening tojump. the first minister got in first. good morning, everyone. the power—sharing agreement between scotland's two biggest pro—independence parties terminated with immediate effect. i believe that the benefits have outweighed the compromises. when i said that the agreement was worth its weight in gold, i meant it. however, it is now myjudgment that the balance has shifted. the bute house agreement was intended to provide stability to the scottish government, and it has made possible a number of achievements. but it has served its purpose. but for the scottish greens, this was an acrimonious political parting of the ways. angered by the scottish government's decision last week to water down key climate change commitments and the nhs�* announcement it would pause prescribing puberty blockers to children. the first minister has decided, i'm sorry— the first m

but right now, well, storm clouds hang over the snp. they're facing a police investigation of their financial affairs, their polling numbers are down and they stand accused of breaking a host of political promises. my guest is the leader of the snp and first minister of scotland, humza yousaf. has his party lost its way? first minister humza yousaf, welcome to hardtalk. thank you. by any measure, first minister, it's been a pretty difficult first year for you as first minister. why do you think the going is so tough? look, we've been in government for 17 years. over 17 years, you have challenges, of course, as a government. but in the last year... i often get asked that question about challenges. i prefer to look at the opportunity. and in the last year, we've had modelling that shows we'll lift 100,000 children out of poverty, we've had statistics just last month showing that we've had record numbers ofjunior doctors joining the nhs, we've had statistics that show that school leavers, record levels are going to positive destinations. a

the snp has 63 msps in the 129 seat parliament.those seven green msps vote against him he is reliant on the support of the soul alba party msp, ash regan, to continue his role. she used to be a member of the snp but defected to alex salmond's alba party. mr yousaf apparently ruled out cutting a deal with the alba party. that would lead to a 64—61; tie vote in which case into parliament if there was time about the presiding officer would be expected to remain the status quo. what we are expecting in the next hour as a news conference from humza yousaf you could see their entry bute house in the last half an hour. we are expecting in the next half an hour or so for him to hold a news conference where we understand he will resign as scotland's first minister. you can see the picture of the door at bute house. at the moment mr yousaf is in there with his wife and senior advisers. we are expecting bad news conference at midday. we will bring it to you live. sir keir starmer has been talking about the situation in the scottish parliament

in fact, the other the snp.r pro—independence parties could see him as a way of keeping the nationalist kind of agenda going, keeping the pro—independence parties at the top of the food chain. here in scottish politics, alba and greens have both said that they would get behind him. but but tony, the question you've got to ask about john swinney is he he was the future once, but is he the future now ? the future now? >> i mean, he wants to win the election in 2026. does he want to serve another five years after that as first minister? well, i think that certainly is an important question because a lot of people have said that, you know, he would, as i say, just provide some kind of stopgap and as a way to almost block the unionist parties from getting in through an early election. >> now , john swinney, as you >> now, john swinney, as you say, he's he's done the rounds. he's already said today that he's taking it under serious consideration . however, you consideration. however, you know, i think that his answer

snp.np. i mean, unless they refocus on independence, there's no real point . but do you? but no real point. but do you? but your question about, you know, will will everybody turn up, will will everybody turn up, will ever be back? humza yousaf i think there are some at the moment who would like to stab him in the back, but don't want to be seen doing that, and humza could help them, from making a courageous stance by resigning beforehand. so i think the pressure is on him. so humza is probably got a battle at the moment between those who want him to stay and those who want him to stay and those who want him to stay and those who want him to go, he got rid of the greens in a very clumsy manner. the greens. greens might have flounced out anyway, and he probably should have let them flounce out, to be absolutely honest, that would have seen him leave with the greens not feeling wounded and hurt and vengeful as they are now, and would have seen him move to a sort of a softer landing place. bu

— quest for independence but the snp has been behind?hink what isn't perhaps realised, _ has been behind? well, i think what isn't perhaps realised, as _ has been behind? well, i think what isn't perhaps realised, as i - has been behind? well, i think what isn't perhaps realised, as i say, - has been behind? well, i think what isn't perhaps realised, as i say, is i isn't perhaps realised, as i say, is the fact that independent support remains at historically very high levels, and that is, for the snp, obviously a good thing. but the problem the snp have had in recent times, and certainly the latter part of nicola sturgeon's leadership as first minister, was trying to give political and democratic effect to that was becoming increasingly difficult, because you had a uk government that was intent on saying no, regardless of electoral mandates, regardless of election wins at westminster or holyrood, it was just saying no. wins at westminster or holyrood, it wasjust saying no. there wins at westminster or holyrood, it was just saying no. the

members _ number of warm comments from snp members who— number of warm comments from snp members whop members who also looked at the - members who also looked at the disconcerted _ members who also looked at the disconcerted by— members who also looked at the disconcerted by this _ members who also looked at the disconcerted by this shock - members who also looked at the . disconcerted by this shock decision from humza — disconcerted by this shock decision from humza yousaf. _ disconcerted by this shock decision from humza yousaf. i've _ disconcerted by this shock decision from humza yousaf. i've spoken . disconcerted by this shock decisionj from humza yousaf. i've spoken to members _ from humza yousaf. i've spoken to members of— from humza yousaf. i've spoken to members of the _ from humza yousaf. i've spoken to members of the snp _ from humza yousaf. i've spoken to members of the snp who - from humza yousaf. i've spoken to members of the snp who did not l from humza yousaf. i've spoken to- members of the snp who did not quite -et members of the snp who did not quite get what _ memb

is there anyone out there snp.ere anyone out there watching in and around scotland that agrees with that sentiment or not? do you agree with that sentiment, that actually something that could come out of this is a much more united snp? >> no, because i think the problem was this. i completely agree with what kerry was just saying. look, you've got to understand the snp basically exists for one key purpose, which is to split scotland from the united kingdom , and they the united kingdom, and they have failed in that endeavour and therefore they have gone down a million different bizarre rabbit holes like the gender recognition act, bizarre climate policy and the rest of it, the rough equivalent for us in england would be, i don't know if the brexit party or ukip had won an election outright, but couldn't get britain out of the european union and then started to pursue other strange policies. and that's exactly what the snp's done. so if the snp can't trigger a second referendum or the departure of scotland from the

she is a former snp minister, stood against humza yousaf for leader of the snp last year. vote. at that point the presiding officer would follow convention we believe and support the government, which means that humza yousaf would win. who will have the decisive vote it will be the leader of alba party, the father of modern scottish nationalism, alex salmond. what nationalism, alex salmond. what im act nationalism, alex salmond. what impact could _ nationalism, alex salmond. what impact could it — nationalism, alex salmond. what impact could it have _ nationalism, alex salmond. what impact could it have on _ nationalism, alex salmond. what impact could it have on the - nationalism, alex salmond. what impact could it have on the general election? , ., , , election? even before this eventings toda in election? even before this eventings today in edinburgh _ election? even before this eventings today in edinburgh there were - election? even before this eventings today in edinburgh there were deep| today in edinburgh there were deep nerves in the snp that they could face a cha

any response from the snp tonight? _ police custody. any response from the snp tonight?ponse from | the snp tonight? no response. and police custody. any response from - the snp tonight? no response. and of course, the snp tonight? no response. and of course. this — the snp tonight? no response. and of course. this is — the snp tonight? no response. and of course, this is now _ the snp tonight? no response. and of course, this is now active _ the snp tonight? no response. and of course, this is now active for - the snp tonight? no response. and of course, this is now active for the - course, this is now active for the purposes of the contempt of court act in scotland, the rules about what you can and can't say once someone has been charged following a police investigation are quite strict so i wouldn't expect any comment from politicians or, indeed, the snp at this point. now that someone has been charged in relation to this investigation.— to this investigation. thank you very much- _ to this investigation. thank you very much. around _ to this investigation. thank you

here you are snp and also the alba. yeah.ause also what's interesting to me is the fact that this isn't about independence. she went over gender recognition and in other words, you've got the greens going on emissions targets and you had ash regan�*s defection over gender recognition. bill, that's nothing. that's nothing to do with the independence question on which the coalition was allegedly was was was explicitly founded through the bute house agreement. that's right. and there are a lot of bitter seeds that people don't really want to swallow at the moment about nicola sturgeon�*s legacy, that she was the one who did this deal with the greens and she gave them things that she shouldn't really have promised. there's a lot of muttering. "well, of course it's nicola that left us in this mess," going on. but not to make the comparison too laboured, but talk about parties that have been in government for a long time. and, you know, as in the conservative party, you've got the snp... i mean, they've been in power for longer. yo

i need to end with just one big—picture thought about snp strategy.you're not going to get it and you know you're not going to get it. your predecessor, nicola sturgeon, said, "oh, well, if we're not going to get it, "then the next election will be a de facto referendum "here in scotland." she said, "let's see if we win over 50% of the scottish vote "at the next general election. "if we do, that will be a form of mandate." you appear to have shifted position. you now seem to be saying that if the snp simply wins a majority of westminster seats, then that must be enough to trigger negotiations on independence, ie to be a mandate for independence. how can you possibly believe that? this may be a novel idea — i don't think it is — but if you win an election, i genuinely believe you should be able to then fulfil the manifesto that you've been elected on. so that's my proposition. my proposition is, "give us the second independence referendum "because the people of scotland have elected a pro—independence "majority in the scottish parliament. they've elect

so it's not just a case of this is that this was snp or indeed snp green legislation.that was backed by the scottish labour party and the scottish labour party and the scottish labour party and the scottish liberal democrats as well. so i think it's important to recognise, you know, that , that when there is know, that, that when there is cross—party consensus in the scottish parliament and, you know, and that, you know, that thatis know, and that, you know, that that is that's acknowledged . the that is that's acknowledged. the problem that humza found himself in, is that he had lost trust, where other party leaders in particular the scottish green party, he's then realised that, you know , in order for the snp you know, in order for the snp to navigate legislation through parliament and budgets, that we need a new leader who is going to be able to forge new iterations, because even if even if humza had managed to win the, you know, the no confidence vote, it would have been on a 64, 64 basis. if albert bachet humza yousaf then the presiding officer, you know, we woul

the green party share power with the snp and | party share power with the snp and have done for three. this week, the scottish government announced that they were ditching a key climate change targets. they accept that a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030 was out of reach. it was tougher than the uk's goal of 68%. the green party have announced they will vote on whether to remain with the snp. it's known as the bute house agreement and they will be a general meeting to decide. patrick harvey, their co—leader has said they will vote. they will argue that they will vote. they will argue that the party should stay there. the first minister of the snp says this is an internal matter for the members of the green party. the interest is that _ members of the green party. the interest is that the vote will be binding. irate interest is that the vote will be bindinu. ~ . , ., binding. we have been told it will ha en in binding. we have been told it will happen in four — binding. we have been told it will happen in four weeks, _ binding. we have been told it will happen in four weeks, after - b

today, the co—leader of the scottish greens accuse the snp of selling out future generations. also said that humza yousaf can no longer be trusted. so it appears that it had become impossible for the two parties to continue working together. so what happens next? the snp leader will now form a minority government until the next scottish parliament elections in 2026. live to glasgow and let's talk to political comentator brian taylor, who was the bbc�*s former political editor at bbc scotland. thank you forjoining us. i wondered if i could get your reaction, having covered the scottish politics for many decades, due today's events. fix, many decades, due today's events. remarkable set of events. i think humza yousaf was in difficulty already, there were questions about his leadership from opposition parties but also within his own side, about economic policy and whether there was a sufficient stress on economic growth. i think he has looked at the prospect of several weeks of indecision and uncertainty because of the greens having a scheduled meeting towards the end of may on wh

, taking all the attention away from the snp, becoming a complete sideshow.saf�*s advisors have said to him, you need to be on the front foot and pull the plug on the front foot and pull the plug on the agreement. haifa the front foot and pull the plug on the agreement.— the front foot and pull the plug on the agreement. how difficult would that make it _ the agreement. how difficult would that make it for _ the agreement. how difficult would that make it for humza _ the agreement. how difficult would that make it for humza yousaf - the agreement. how difficult would that make it for humza yousaf to l that make it for humza yousaf to govern? that make it for humza yousaf to covern? ~ ., , ., , ., , govern? minority governments always ose govern? minority governments always pose challenges _ govern? minority governments always pose challenges but _ govern? minority governments always pose challenges but alex _ govern? minority governments always pose challenges but alex salmond - govern? minority governments always | pose challenges but alex salmond was first

capitalise on snp labour can capitalise on snp vulnerability in scotland and translate that into westminster seats for the labour party at the general election, the path to downing street is that bit easier keir starmer, and turbulent in the snp, everything else being equal, might make that prospect for keir starmer that little bit more straightforward. that's why this matters wherever you are watching around the uk, that's why it has consequences within scotland but beyond scotland too.— consequences within scotland but beyond scotland too. chris, many thanks for that. _ time for a look at the weather. here's darren bett. thanks very much. it is going to be warmerfor us this week. thanks very much. it is going to be warmer for us this week. there will still be rain around but here across east anglia and the south—east of england, much better day, staying dry some sunshine. add to the west, we have lower pressure heading in from the atlantic, then stopping, but it is sweeping in all this cloud and underneath cloud we have seen some rain. some wetter weather to begin with earlier today across

is the agreement of the snp over?dinburgh ahead of that cabinet meeting. mr harvie told journalists the decision was a "total "u—turn from recent days". in the last hour, the scottish first minister announced the end to the power sharing deal at his bute house residence. i believe that going forward it is in the best interests of the people of scotland to pursue a different arrangement. that is why, following a discussion with my cabinet this morning, i have formally notified patrick harvie and lorna slater that i am terminating the agreement with immediate effect. let's speak to our scotland correspondent lorna gordon. humza yousaf has been saying that has been terminated with immediate effect. lorna slater and patrick harvie talked about this is that act of political karius to appease the most reactionary forces in the country, that humza yousaf can no longer be trusted, that he is ending the agreement in a week away. —— an act of political cowardice. the snp does not have a majority now in the scottish parliament.

, but of the scottish green party too. shad snp, but of the scottish green party too. �* ., snp, butit quite difficult for _ too. ad that makes it quite difficult for the _ too. ad that makes it quite difficult for the greens - too. ad that makes it quitej difficult for the greens who too. ad that makes it quite - difficult for the greens who are, as you said, the snp partners in government. you said, the snp partners in government-— you said, the snp partners in covernment. . , , , government. that is true because we were covering — government. that is true because we were covering their _ government. that is true because we were covering their conference - government. that is true because we were covering their conference just i were covering their conference just a couple of weeks ago and they were using that phrase then, accelerating towards achieving these climate targets as well. this must have been in the offing then, because really a few weeks ago we did hear from the independent committee on climate change that scotland's 2030 goals were going to be unreachable. so hence the

she left the snp and joined the alba party, which is alex salmond...an snp first minister, the party he leads now. she set out a number of conditions that she would support mr yousaf on. if he loses the personal vote, he is not legally bound to resign but you could imagine there is political pressure on him. we have heard from one snp msp this morning that he believes that humza yousaf would have to stand down if he loses that vote. we are watching him at the moment trying to reclaim the narrative, sort of putting his party on an election footing and looking at some of the issues that he would like to take to the doorstep so that is where we are right at the moment. he is running a campaign now to fight for his life. let's get some of the day's other news now. a british man has been seriously injured in a shark attack on the caribbean island of tobago. the attack happened close to the shore in courland bay. the 64—year—old man is in intensive care after his left hand and left thigh were severed by a bull shark. seven beaches have been closed to allow t

ash regan was an snp msp.her position on trans rights. she's of the j.k. rowling school of thought. she thinks that women's rights are being eroded. she didn't like the gender recognition act in scotland for example. now, when she left the party, humza yousaf said that she was no loss at all. well, he might be regretting those words now. what she what she says will decide the future of his political career. that said, even if she does end up voting for yusef, it could be that in the longer term his position becomes untenable. people aren't happy with the state of the. the snp haven't been for a while now. nicola sturgeon and her husband's potential involvement in in financial misconduct, the alleged involvement in that has has cast the whole of the snp under a bit of a cloud, and it could be that moving forwards, humza yousaf is just unable to get any legislation over the line, in which case he might have to resign anyway. what's astonishing about this, olivia, is that sworn political enemies are jumping into

this snp have blown it over to back out of the water over the last few elections.nd on the precise nature of coalition deals. certainly it seems to be the case at the moment that in an era when some parties, particularly on the centre right seem to be rowing back from climate commitment some green parties are doubling down and having those commitments as a very redlined which they do not want see crossed. in that sense coalition government can be dangerous because the commitment you have to make as the snp did under nicola sturgeon was to meet targets. i think they missed eight targets in scotland. people start to ask questions about whether you are effective. you can't come away from those commitments because you are tied into this coalition agreement. it you are tied into this coalition agreement-— you are tied into this coalition aureement. , ., ., , agreement. it can be dangerous. i think that calculation _ agreement. it can be dangerous. i think that calculation by _ agreement. it can be dangerous. i think that calculation by the - agreement. it can be dangero

. haste of thousands of pounds of donations to the snp. ~ ., ~ ., ., ., to the snp.een charged, - to the snp. we now know that an l individual has been charged, peter has been charged, with the allegation of embezzlement from party fans, and that is a really serious matter indeed. many people in the snp, right across scottish politics, will be shocked by the news. ~ ., ., , ., ., ~ news. well, no details of what mr murrell is accused _ news. well, no details of what mr murrell is accused of— news. well, no details of what mr murrell is accused of embezzling, | murrell is accused of embezzling, and the fact that proceedings are now live means that strict legal rules kick in which constrain what the public and politicians can speculate and say, that is to ensure that there is a fair trial, should the crown office, which now looks at the crown office, which now looks at the evidence which has been gathered ljy the evidence which has been gathered by police, decide whether or not to go ahead with a prosecution. is that process gets under way, the police investigation, wh