Humza Yousaf’s unravelling tenure shows how short and brutish political lives have become

Just when you thought Westminster might have the monopoly on incompetence and chaos, along comes Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s first minister, saying: “Hold my Diet Coke.” Anything the Tories can do south of the border, the Scottish National party can manage north of it.

We are in a new political era where the life span of politicians is measured in units of Liz Truss.

Reports of his resignation were circulating long before the announcement he would be giving a press conference at Bute House, the first minister’s official residence, at noon.

He had hoped to continue working informally with the Greens but he had failed to understand the extent of their hurt.

He was referring to a deal with Alex Salmond’s party, Alba, and their one MSP, Ash Regan, that could have kept him in a job for a while longer.

He chose not to dwell on the recent troubles of the SNP – the fighting over the motorhome could come later – but instead talked up the positives.