'Karma's a TERF': JK Rowling wades into SNP row jibing that Humza Yousaf's fate now rests with Ash Regan who quit party over gender self-ID plans

JK Rowling has waded into the SNP's meltdown as Humza Yousaf desperately tries to cling on as Scottish First Minister. 

The author, a prominent women's rights campaigner, posted on social media highlighting that Mr Yousaf's future could now be decided by former leadership rival Ash Regan.

Rowling said: 'The idea that Humza Yousaf's political fate may now lie in the hands of Ash Regan, the woman who left the SNP in disgust at its plans for gender self-ID, reminds me...'

She then shared a version of the Karma tarot card, with the words: 'They say Karma's a b****... but I hear she's a TERF.'

Mr Yousaf attempted a dramatic power play yesterday by sacking Green ministers from his government, ending the so-called Bute House coalition agreement.

Tensions had been rising over trans and Net Zero policies and the SNP leader said he would be better running a minority administration.

However, that disastrously backfired when the furious Greens declared they will support a no confidence motion tabled by the Scottish Tories.

With other parties ranged against him, that leaves Mr Yousaf at risk of defeat. Excluding the presiding officer there are 128 MSPs in total, and the SNP only has 63.

Ms Regan holds the balance, as if she supports the First Minister he would have 64 votes. In the event of a tie the presiding officer is meant to back the status quo, so he would be able to hold on.

Ms Regan has written to Mr Yousaf laying out demands for propping him up, including 'defending the rights of women and children'. That is thought to mean accepting the findings of the Cass review, which criticised gender therapies, in full. When Ms Regan left the SNP Mr Yousaf described it as 'no great loss'. Speaking to the BBC's World Tonight, Ms Regan said: 'I have written to the First Minister today with a number of issues that I've raised with him on progress made towards independence, on how he will defend the rights of women and children and a return to competent governance.'My vote will depend on really what Humza comes back with in response to my letter.' 

She continued: 'I'm not setting out specific demands as such, I'm putting the ball into Humza's court for him to come back to me and explain to me how he will make progress in a couple of these areas, particularly around the return to a competent government.'

On the X social media site last night, Ms Regan thanked Rowling for her 'incredible strength and support'.

The Harry Potter creator replied: 'Thanks for standing firm for girls and women in Scotland, Ash.'

Allies of Mr Yousaf insisted he will 'come out fighting' in the face of a concerted effort by opponents to oust him.

A source close to the First Minister insisted Mr Yousaf was 'absolutely not' considering his position following the chaotic events.

The confidence vote, expected Wednesday or Thursday next week, has been tabled against Mr Yousaf personally rather than the government.

As a result, he would not technically be obliged to quit if he loses. However, in reality it would be almost impossible for him to stay on.

There would then be 28 days to appoint a new First Minister who can command a majority before new Holyrood elections are triggered.  

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: 'We said from the beginning this was a coalition of chaos and it has ended in chaos. Humza Yousaf's government is in crisis. He claims it is now a new beginning, but really it is the beginning of the end. Isn't Humza Yousaf a lame duck First Minister?'

After he lodged the motion of no confidence, Mr Ross said: 'He was bounced into ditching the Bute House Agreement by his own MSPs. The only leadership he has shown has been weak. His time as First Minister is up.'

Mr Yousaf unilaterally announced the move without an SNP member vote following an emergency meeting of his Cabinet yesterday.

The Greens said they would back a no confidence vote.

Liz Lloyd, former chief of staff to Nicola Sturgeon, told BBC Radio Scotland's Drivetime programme: 'I think it is arguable that Humza Yousaf did need to end the agreement. But what wasn't needed was to end it in such a brutal fashion.

'It could have come to an end by agreement.

'It has led to the position where Humza Yousaf is hanging on a thread as to whether he can stay as First Minister.'

Former first minister Alex Salmond said: 'Humza has to understand he is no longer in the position of ruling the roost. I can only describe his tactics as kamikaze.

'He has insulted every opposition party in the parliament. There's a number of things you can and can't do when you are leading a minority administration, and one of them is not to insult all of the opposition parties.

'Humza is going to need to mend his ways and do it very quickly.'

Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: 'This chaotic and incompetent government is falling apart before our eyes while Scots pay the price.'

At an 8am meeting with Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater, Mr Yousaf told them he would be 'terminating' their ministerial roles. He then met his Cabinet to inform them. Mr Yousaf's spokesman said ministers banged on the table in approval.

Just days prior to the announcement, Mr Yousaf publicly backed the partnership agreement.

At a press conference yesterday he denied he had made a weak and reactive decision.

He was asked if he was a 'lame duck leader who is heading for the exit door' and he responded: 'No, not at all. We are taking control as a party and indeed as a government on our priority terms.'

Former leadership rival Kate Forbes insisted she would support him in the no confidence vote.

Fergus Ewing, who repeatedly spoke out against the Bute House Agreement, challenged Mr Yousaf to 'do a spring clean of the policies and programmes'.