FIRST Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Humza Yousaf as the former SNP leader announced he would stand down as an MSP in 2026.
Swinney’s predecessor made the announcement in a post on Twitter/X on Tuesday morning, saying the “time will be right” for him to move on.
Yousaf will have served as an MSP for 15 years by the time he has stepped down – a time which included roles as health and justice secretary as well as first minister.
John Swinney said in a post on social media: “I am sorry to see Humza Yousaf stepping down. He has been a pioneer in Scottish politics.
“I value all he has contributed to @scotgov and @theSNP and look forward to his continued involvement.
“I wish Humza, Nadia and their family much peace together.”
Elsewhere, Scottish Health Secretary Neil Gray echoed Swinney’s thoughts, also describing Yousaf as a “pioneer” of Scottish politics and said he was a “committed public servant and leader”.
“He has served with passion, compassion and diligence with decency, principles and values that shine through,” Gray said.
“I’m very sorry my friend is moving on, but wish him, Nadia and their girls all the best.”
Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie (below) said that Yousaf had served Scotland and his constituents "well for more than a decade as an MSP" but said he felt the former first minister came to accept "his decision to end the cooperation agreement between our parties was a mistake".
He said: "As the health secretary, he helped guide Scotland through the Covid pandemic and as First Minister he spoke powerfully in opposition to the genocide in Gaza, showing leadership that has been sorely lacking from far too many governments around the world.
"There were areas where we agreed and areas where we disagreed. I always believed, and he eventually came to accept, that his decision to end the cooperation agreement between our parties was a mistake.
"But even those events never stopped me liking and respecting Humza, and nobody could doubt his commitment to his job or building a fairer and better Scotland.
"My party and I wish Humza and his family nothing but the best in everything they do next."
The Aberdeen Independence Movement also paid tribute to Yousaf, with a statement from the group saying: “Thank you @HumzaYousaf for your service. Your work with the Yes movement as First Minister was a breath of fresh air.”
In an interview with Zeteo, Yousaf told journalist Mehdi Hasan that he would be stepping away from “frontline politics” entirely.
In his letter to SNP leader Swinney, Yousaf said he was looking forward to many “firsts” as a father.
He explained that, after stepping down as first minister, he has been able to attend his children’s sports day, parents’ evening and that he will be going to his daughter’s Christmas show for the first time.
