Sources had said Mr Yousaf would "come out fighting" after his former allies the Scottish Greens said they would join the other opposition parties in a vote of no confidence next week.

Scotland's first minister battling to save job - follow live

The crisis was triggered after Mr Yousaf dramatically brought the powersharing deal with the Greens to an end on Thursday, following tensions over the SNP's climbdown on climate targets and the decision to pause the prescription of new puberty blockers at Scotland's only gender clinic.

The ditching of the deal means the SNP will now operate as a minority administration at Holyrood.

With the Greens joining forces with the other opposition parties, Mr Yousaf faces a knife-edge vote, ranging 64 out of 128 MSPs against him.

The SNP have 63 MSPs at Holyrood while there is also Ash Regan, a former SNP minister who defected to Alex Salmond's Alba Party, who has not yet confirmed which way she will vote.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone can cast tie-breaking votes but would be expected to vote in favour of the status quo.

Any vote is likely to take place next week, with timings to be confirmed by parliamentary authorities.

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