Alex Salmond sets out Alba demands ahead of Humza Yousaf talks

Mr Yousaf’s decision on Thursday to end the power sharing deal with the Scottish Greens, known as the Bute House Agreement, led to angry recriminations from the SNP’s former partners in government.

The SNP’s former Westminster leader Ian Blackford on Sunday apologised to the Scottish Greens for how the ending of the deal had been handled.

He told BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: “I apologise for what has happened this week, it could have happened in a different way, but we are where we are.

“I would say [to the Greens], don’t throw it away this week.

“Show your faith and trust in the first minister. We are where we are. 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 first minister wrote to all of Scotland’s major parties on Friday evening to request meetings at Bute House in a bid to find “common ground”.

The Scottish Conservatives rejected that invitation on Saturday.

That was followed on Sunday by another rejection, this time by the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Their leader, Alex Cole-Hamilton, echoed calls from Scottish Conservative leader chief Douglas Ross for Mr Yousaf to resign his position.