Humza Yousaf has resigned as Scotland’s first minister.
The SNP leader had been under intense pressure following the collapse last week of a governing agreement with the Green Party.
That pact, known as the Bute House Agreement, folded after the Greens accused the FM of poor performance on climate.
“I have concluded that repairing the relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm,” Yousaf said.
Part of the anger arose after the Scottish government failed to give a consent decision on SSE Renewables 4.1GW Berwick Bank wind farm off east Scotland in time to enter this year’s Allocation Round 6.
The project has been before Scottish planners for over a year and required a final consent call by 19 April.
The failure to grant a decision sparked political controversy in Scotland, with Chris Stark, ex-chief executive of the UK’s independent climate advisor the CCC, among the critics.
Stark said the lack of a lack of a decision was “inexcusable”.
The recent ditching of climate targets also led to the Green Party decision.
Yousaf is due to face two confidence motions this week.