SCOTTISH First Minister Humza Yousaf was accused yesterday of “political cowardice” after the SNP ditched its union with the Scottish Greens.

At a hastily arranged press conference yesterday morning, Mr Yousaf announced the beginning of an SNP minority administration.

“Following a discussion with my Cabinet this morning, I have formally notified [Scottish Green co-leaders] Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater that I am terminating the Bute House Agreement with immediate effect,” he said.

“The SNP needs the freedom and the flexibility to ensure that we move Scotland forward and adapt to that changing world.

“We need to speak to the country with one voice, our voice, and as such I am clear that today marks a new beginning for the SNP government.”

The coalition had stood since the last Holyrood election in 2021, when SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon joined forces with Mr Harvie and Ms Slater to bring them into government for the first time.

The coalition aimed not only to unite pro-independence parties inside Holyrood but bring together a Yes movement that has become increasingly disparate since the 2014 referendum.

Frustration has however grown within both party memberships over issues such as constitutional strategy and gender self-ID, but it is environmental policy that has proven to be its undoing.

Mr Yousaf’s announcement followed a dramatic seven days after his net zero secretary Mairi McAllan ditched climate change targets, sparking a wave of anger among Green Party members and demands for a party ballot on the coalition’s future.

Mr Harvie and Ms Slater continued to make the case to remain in the partnership, but before a single vote was cast, the SNP leader had effectively made the decision for them, provoking a furious Green response.

Ms Slater said the First Minister “can no longer be trusted,” adding: “This is an act of political cowardice by the SNP, who are selling out future generations to appease the most reactionary forces in the country. 

“Voters deserve better, Scotland deserves better. Scottish Green voters certainly deserve better. 

“They have broken the bonds of trust with members of both parties who have twice chosen the co-operation agreement and climate  action over chaos, culture wars and division.

“They have betrayed the electorate.”

Scottish Labour’s Dame Jackie Baillie said: “Humza Yousaf is too weak to hold his own government together and he is too weak to deliver for Scotland.