Giving a press conference this afternoon, he said it has been an “honour” to serve as First Minister.

Yousaf had been battling for his political survival after ending the powersharing deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens last week.

He was facing a vote of no confidence, tabled by the Scottish Conservatives, while Scottish Labour had tabled one of no confidence in the Scottish Government as a whole, with both expected to take place this week.

He admitted to having he had “underestimated” the level of hurt ending the power-sharing deal with the Greens would have.

While he said it was “the right decision”, he continued: “Unfortunately in ending the Bute House Agreement in the matter I did I clearly underestimate the level of hurt and upset that caused Green colleagues.

“For a minority government to be able to govern effectively trust when working with the opposition is clearly fundamental.”

He said a route through the no-confidence vote was “absolutely possible”.

But he added: “I am not willing to trade in my values or principles or do deals with whomever simply for retaining power.”

UPDATES TO FOLLOW…