Scotland first minister calls cabinet meeting amid Green deal speculation
Media caption, Scottish Greens co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie seen leaving Bute House.
By Mary McCool
BBC Scotland news
Scotland’s first minister Humza Yousaf has called an emergency meeting of his cabinet.
The agenda for the meeting is not known, but it comes amid speculation about the future of the SNP’s power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens.
Ministers usually meet on a Tuesday but have been called to Bute House for the second time this week.
The BBC understands that the SNP would form a minority government if its agreement with the Greens ends.
Last week the Scottish Greens confirmed that members would vote on whether the party should remain in power with the SNP.
Co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie were seeing leaving Bute House before 08:30.
Image source, PA Media
Image caption, Humza Yousaf with Energy Minister Mairi McAllan
It follows criticism of the Scottish government’s decision to scrap its 2030 climate target and the way it responded to a review of gender services.
The SNP’s Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan announced the net-zero target was out of reach.
Scotland’s NHS also said it was pausing prescribing puberty blockers to under-18s referred by the country’s only specialist clinic following a report by Dr Hilary Cass.
Greens Co-leader Patrick Harvie said issues had “come to a head” with party members calling for a debate on how to move forward.
Mr Harvie has said he would quit as co-leader if the Greens vote to end the coalition with the SNP.
The first minister previously said he valued the power-sharing deal – known as the Bute House agreement – and does not expect it to be scrapped.
But he indicated that his party members would not be getting another vote on the issue, despite calls from senior SNP figures such as Kate Forbes.
The cabinet is the main decision-making body of the Scottish Government. It is made up of the first minister and all cabinet secretaries.
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