HUMZA Yousaf has officially resigned as Scotland's first minister.

He has signed a resignation letter to the King and it is expected John Swinney, who became SNP leader on Monday, will be formally voted in as first minister later on Tuesday.

Yousaf - who announced he would be stepping down last week - was in the position for just over a year after taking over from Scotland's longest-serving first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

His resignation came after he abruptly ended the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens which sparked a furious response from the party. 

He ended up facing the prospect of a confidence vote where he looked likely to be defeated and so resigned before it could be taken in the chamber. 

READ MORE: John Swinney backs Humza Yousaf's Scottish independence strategy

He said in his resignation speech at Bute House: "Unfortunately, in ending the Bute House Agreement in the manner I did, I clearly underestimated the level of hurt and upset I caused Green colleagues.”

In his letter to the King, Yousaf said: "With my humble duty, I write as anticipated in my letter to Your Majesty of 29 April to tender to Your Majesty my resignation from the office of First Minister.

"I propose that my resignation take effect from the start of the Scottish parliamentary plenary business on Tuesday, May 7.

"Throughout my time as First Minister, I have been most grateful for your counsel and the kindness you have shown to both Nadia and I.

"It has been my pleasure to serve Your Majesty and the people of Scotland since March 2023."

In a separate statement, Yousaf said it had been a "phenomenal honour" to be first minister, adding he was especially proud of having held the position as a Muslim. 

He said: "Being the First Minister of the country I love, the country I am raising my family in, and the only country I will ever call home has been a phenomenal honour.  

“As a young Muslim boy, born and raised in Scotland, I could never have dreamt that one day I would have the privilege of leading my country – people who looked like me, were not in positions of political influence, let alone leading governments when I was younger.  

“I am proud to have delivered a council tax freeze for households in every local authority in Scotland, invested record amounts in our National Health Service, removed peak fares on our railways, and approved plans for Europe’s largest floating offshore windfarm. And through our actions, an estimated 100,000 children are expected to be kept out of poverty this year.

“From the backbenches of the Scottish Parliament, I will continue to champion the rights and the voices of those who are often not heard, be they at home or abroad.”   

Swinney will be seeking parliamentary approval on Tuesday afternoon to become Scotland's seventh first minister. He will only require a simply majority to win.

READ MORE: What did John Swinney say about independence at his SNP leader launch

As normally happens, leaders from other parties can put themselves forward for the position too. 

If Swinney is appointed, as is very likely, he will then attend an official swearing-in ceremony at the Court of Session, which is likely to be on Wednesday.