“The whole thing is obscene, to be honest. There is a lot of anger… it’s hard to see how we get back on track from here… it feels like over the past year we’ve made absolutely no further progress.”

Strikingly downbeat assessment of recent events from editor of The National

Ouch

Telling quote from a senior government source on Humza Yousaf resignation being fundamentally forced by the Scottish Greens' anger.

'We made a political calculation and forgot about the human dimension.'

Read more in today's The Scottish Sun

Alex Salmond telling Radio4 that Humza Yousaf phoned Alba at 730am today about a deal but the SNP 'old guard' blocked it

Humza Yousaf leaves the press conference after breaking down and taking no questions.

Humza Yousaf announces his resignation at Bute House heraldscotland.com/news/24285360.…

'Independence feels frustratingly close,' says Humza Yousaf

More chaos ahoy. Humza Yousaf does a Sturgeon and announces his intention to resign as FM but not until SNP members (number TBC) have chosen another leader. Stand by for another unedifying dogfight on the cusp of a general election

Note for today: there is no such thing as a caretaker FM/PM. You're either doing the job in full or you're not.
Being an acting leader for a few weeks during a vacancy is something else. But the idea that someone can doggy paddle around Bute House for a couple of years is daft

It would be quite something if the party of a brave new tomorrow turns to someone who last led the SNP 20 years ago and who had to quit after three years following a string of bad election results

John Swinney backing Humza Yousaf for SNP leader. 'Humza is best placed to lead our party because he will strengthen the SNP as a force for progressive change in Scottish politics,' he says.

The thing is, the SNP+Regan don’t have the votes to *implement* any demands, only to block things, so even if this could stop the no confidence vote there would need to be a rapprochement with the Greens (or another party) for Holyrood to pass anything.

To recap:

- The SNP leader kicked the Greens out of Government
- The Greens refuse to share a stage with Alba
- The SNP hates Alba and the feeling is mutual.

But are we told Scotland is ready for a referendum and independence. Really?

Alba has been put 'onto a Scottish Parliament election footing in the event that an early election is required.'

Humza Yousaf insists he's not quitting but shadow boxing is already going on to replace him

Kate Forbes and Jenny Gilruth are the early favourites and have been on the phone to parliamentarians

thetimes.co.uk/article/forbes…

Deep alarm in the SNP at the prospect of Humza Yousaf doing any sort of deal with Alex Salmond.

If he is half-hearted with Alba, they say no. If he caves, there will be a rebellion.

“He’s f***** it,” says one of the FM’s allies.

I'm shocked, shocked