Ian Blackford apologises to Greens after SNP fallout

The SNP's former leader in Westminster has apologised to Scottish Green MSPs after the dissolution of the Bute House Agreement and urged them to support first minister Humza Yousaf in an upcoming confidence vote.

“I want to appeal to our friends and colleagues in the Green Party to recognise where we are. We are colleagues together in arguing for independence. We pushed through legislation for which there has been mutual support," Ian Blackford said.

"We can make sure this government can deliver on the priorities for the people of Scotland if we make sure Humza Yousaf remains our first minister."

The MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber added: “I apologise for what has happened this week, it could have happened in a different way, but we are where we are".

The power sharing deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens was terminated by Humza Yousaf on Thursday, leaving the SNP in a minority government.

The decision led to angry recriminations from the Greens who later said they would back a motion of no-confidence in the first minister, put forward by the Scottish Conservatives.