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Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf claims a Holyrood election could be called as he refuses to say if he will resign if he loses a looming vote of no confidence.

Speaking exclusively to Sky News in Fife on Saturday, the SNP leader said it was “really disappointing” to learn the Greens could refuse to change their minds on voting against him in a ballot which could prove fatal for his leadership.

Mr Yousaf has today written to all the opposition parties, including Alex Salmond’s Alba party, at Holyrood urging them to rethink their plot to oust him.

Humza Yousaf
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Humza Yousaf

The SNP leader said on Saturday that he was leaving it to his rivals to determine his fate.

A Green Party source said the only letter they will accept from the first minister is his resignation.

Mr Yousaf told Sky News: “Well let me say again, that would be really disappointing if that is the Greens’ position.

“As I say, I’ve reached out to them, they are saying publicly that they’re going to support a Conservative motion against independence, first minister and independence government.

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“That would be, I think, a poor choice to make.”

Asked if there might be a Scottish election if he doesn’t win the vote, Mr Yousaf replied: “Can’t rule it out.”

Ash Regan. Pic: PA
Image:
Ash Regan. Pic: PA

The casting vote now looks likely to be Alba MSP Ash Regan who sensationally defected from the SNP in the wake of her defeat in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon last year.

Sky News understands Alba is holding an emergency meeting this weekend to determine how it will cast the key vote.

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Yousaf to ‘fight’ no confidence vote

When asked how SNP members would feel about being “propped up” by Mr Salmond, Mr Yousaf said: “Let me make it really, really clear, I’ll be sending out to anybody I meet with, whoever comes round that table, that these are the priorities of the SNP minority government.

“This is what we’ll be pursuing, this is what we’ll be pushing. It’ll then be up to be it Ash Regan, be it Lorna Slater, be it Patrick Harvie or any of them, to decide what button they push when it comes to the vote of no confidence.”

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How did we get here – and what happens next?

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The first minister was asked twice whether he would resign if he failed to win the confidence of parliament.

He responded: “Again, I’m not planning to lose the vote of no confidence, I’m planning to win that vote of no confidence.”

Asked if his position would be untenable, he said: “Planning to win.”

On Saturday evening a Scottish Greens source said the party would respond to the First Minister “in due course”.

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The links between Jeffrey Epstein and the UK revealed in new files

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The links between Jeffrey Epstein and the UK revealed in new files

Jeffrey Epstein led two different lives – sex offender and celebrity networker – and he did that in the UK as well as the US.

The newly released Epstein documents reveal, in particular, how the paedophile financier ascended into the highest levels of British society.

This photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sprawled across the lap of several women, whose identities have been protected, speaks to his close relationship with Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for child sex trafficking and other offences in connection with Epstein. But the furnishings are even more revealing.

Epstein files – latest updates

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell. Note: inclusion in Epstein files does not infer wrongdoing
Image:
Andrew Mountbatten Windsor pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell. Note: inclusion in Epstein files does not infer wrongdoing

Sky News matched the fireplace in this photo with the one in Sandringham, the estate where the royals tend to spend Christmas – (Andrew is not invited this year).

Andrew has vigorously denied any accusations against him.

Prince Charles, now King Charles III, at Sandringham with Prince Edward. Pic: PA
Image:
Prince Charles, now King Charles III, at Sandringham with Prince Edward. Pic: PA

Also included in the latest release are Epstein’s flight records. They provide some useful corroborating evidence.

A flight log from the Epstein files
Image:
A flight log from the Epstein files

On 9 March 2001, his plane landed at “EGGW” – Luton Airport – with JE, GM and VR on board – Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Virginia Roberts, better known by her married name of Virginia Giuffre and perhaps Epstein’s most famous accuser.

The next day is when this photo was alleged to have been taken, in London, of Giuffre and Andrew.

Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London, in March 2001
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Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts, aged 17, and Ghislaine Maxwell at Ghislaine Maxwell’s townhouse in London, in March 2001

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ
Image:
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell hunting, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ

Other photos show Maxwell on the steps of Downing Street – and power was as much a draw as celebrity.

Ghislaine Maxwell outside 10 Downing Street, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ
Image:
Ghislaine Maxwell outside 10 Downing Street, date unknown. Pic: US DoJ

On 15 May 2002, the flight records show Epstein again arriving at Luton.

A flight log from the Epstein files
Image:
A flight log from the Epstein files

The next day is when he met Tony Blair, prime minister at the time. This was before Epstein’s first arrest and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing.

Read more:
New photos of Jeffrey Epstein’s circle released
Ghislaine Maxwell sex trafficking case material to be released

The meeting was arranged by Peter Mandelson, who lost his job as ambassador to the US because of his Epstein connections, and who features prominently in the files.

Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: US DoJ
Image:
Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. Pic: US DoJ

The UK was a draw for Epstein’s wider circle too – Maxwell here is pictured touring the Churchill War Rooms with Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey. Neither are accused of wrongdoing or knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

(L-R) Ghislaine Maxwell, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton, with three other men. Pic: US DoJ
Image:
(L-R) Ghislaine Maxwell, Kevin Spacey and Bill Clinton, with three other men. Pic: US DoJ

And the other grim life that Epstein led, of sex trafficking, also had British links.

A page from the Epstein files
Image:
A page from the Epstein files

Another document released in the files, from 2019, shows witness testimony from Maxwell’s trial. In it, a victim is mentioned who is “17 years old” and who grew up “in England”. She would later be taken to Epstein’s private Caribbean island.

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Murder investigation launched after man shot dead in London

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Murder investigation launched after man shot dead in London

Police have launched a murder investigation after a 55-year-old man was shot dead in London.

Officers were called at 9.35pm on Friday 19 December to reports of a shooting in West End Close, Brent.

Emergency first aid was given to a 55-year-old man, who died at the scene.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Team, who is leading the investigation, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim at this incredibly difficult time.

“Enquiries are well under way, and my team is working at pace to determine the circumstances that led to this man’s tragic death.

“There’s no doubt this incident will cause concern in the local community and more widely, but we have increased patrols in the area. I’d like to reassure the public that our investigation remains a priority.

“I would urge anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information, including dashcam footage, that will assist us with our enquiries to contact us at the earliest opportunity.

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“We also believe there was a large group of people congregated nearby at the time the incident happened, and we are keen to hear from them.”

At the early stage of the investigation, no arrests have been made.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the latest version.

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£20,000 reward announced over fatal shooting of father

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£20,000 reward announced over fatal shooting of father

Police have announced a £20,000 reward in the hunt for the killers of a man in north London in March.

Mahad Abdi Mohamed, 27, died after being shot in the head in Waverley Road, Tottenham at 8.45pm on 20 March, the Metropolitan Police said.

The Met, which announced the reward from the independent charity Crimestoppers, said officers believed the shooting was a case of mistaken identity.

Police now want to speak to two people in connection with the incident.

DCI Rebecca Woodsford, who is leading the investigation, said: “There is someone out there who knows what happened that night, and we are urging those individuals to find it in their heart to come forward. It could be exactly what we need to locate those responsible.”

Images of the two people police would like to speak to. Pics: Metropolitan Police
Image:
Images of the two people police would like to speak to. Pics: Metropolitan Police

A targeted attack

Police believe the suspects, who got out of a stolen Mitsubishi Outlander, which was later recovered burned out, were taking part in a targeted attack.

On the night of the murder, Mahad had spent the early evening with his friend at their home.

They were breaking their fast outside when the Mitsubishi Outlander approached and the suspects opened fire, striking Mahad and his friend multiple times.

Mahad’s 26-year-old friend received treatment for a gunshot wound to his leg.

The force suspects another stolen vehicle, a blue Jaguar, was used to transport the suspects to and from the Mitsubishi.

Read more from Sky News:
Driver guilty of murder in Christmas Day rampage
Ukraine “hits Russian tanker in Mediterranean Sea for first time”

The stolen cars from the night. Pics: Metropolitan Police
Image:
The stolen cars from the night. Pics: Metropolitan Police

Police arrested four adult men in March and April on suspicion of murder, who were subsequently bailed.

The investigation so far has led officers to believe whoever killed Mahad set out to hurt someone else in a pre-planned, targeted attack.

Appealing to the public for information, Mahad’s youngest sister said: “To stay silent is to be complicit. To stay silent is to let a grieving mother suffer in confusion. To stay silent is to let a little boy grow up not knowing what happened to his father.”

Pic: Metropolitan Police
Image:
Pic: Metropolitan Police

The reward, which is offered for information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible, is available for three months and is due to expire on 20 March 2026.

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