Scottish government survives confidence vote after Hamza Yousaf quits

Yousaf was the Muslim head of a major political party and Scotland’s youngest elected leader [Jeff J Mitchell/Reuters]

The Scottish government has survived a confidence vote, giving the Scottish National Party (SNP) a chance to pick a new leader to replace outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf.

Yousaf’s decision to step down as first minister and SNP leader on Monday has thrown the party into chaos and boosted hopes in the United Kingdom’s opposition Labour Party that it can regain Scottish seats to win a national election later this year.