Sturgeon: Yousaf’s decision to dump Greens from government was ‘catastrophic’

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Humza Yousaf’s decision to end the SNP’s powersharing deal with the Scottish Greens was “catastrophic”, former first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said. Speaking about his decision, Ms Sturgeon told the Institute for Government think tank: “I think crashing that agreement was catastrophic and – politics aside – totally the wrong thing to do for stable government.” At least if I'd taken some more time and had some more conversation, it might have softened the blow somewhat Humza Yousaf on ending the Bute House Agreement Her comments came as Mr Yousaf spoke about his own “real regret” at the speed at which he ended the deal. Looking back on the decision over whether to “take the initiative and end the Bute House Agreement” or “wait to get dumped by our junior partner”, the former SNP leader said: “Ultimately I took the decision to do it, and my real regret is not taking more time over that decision.” He added: “I made my mind up on the Tuesday night that week that I was going to end the Bute House Agreement and did so on the Thursday morning.” But Mr Yousaf, who has confirmed he will not stand for Holyrood in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, said: “I wish I’d taken more time to speak it through and come to some kind of almost mutual agreement with Patrick and Lorna, which probably wasn’t possible. “But at least if I’d taken some more time and had some more conversation, it might have softened the blow somewhat.” However he added: “Ultimately, it may not have changed the outcome.” Ms Slater meanwhile described the ending of the agreement as being “quite sudden”, telling the think tank: “I think even up to two days beforehand he was saying the agreement was worth its weight in gold.” Adding she was “very sad that it ended”, the Green MSP said of Mr Yousaf: “I still think there was a bit of a miscalculation there, because he was then subject to the threat of a vote of no confidence.