John Swinney wins SNP leadership unopposed

In response the SNP leadership confirmation, Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: “As the main opposition party, we will hold John Swinney to account when he lets the Scottish people down – just as we’ve done with Humza Yousaf.”

Patrick Harvie, co-leader of the Scottish Greens, said: “Mr Swinney knows that if he is to have our support then it must be on the basis of progressive policies that help us to tackle the climate crisis and build a fairer and more equal future.”

Earlier, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar posted, external on X: “The return of John Swinney is about putting the interests of the SNP before Scotland – only Scottish Labour can deliver the change Scotland needs.”

Mr Yousaf’s premiership imploded last week after he ripped up the government’s power-sharing Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.

That left the SNP administration with a minority in parliament.

Facing motions of no confidence in him and his government, Mr Yousaf confirmed he was standing down last Monday.

In his resignation speech, he said he had “clearly underestimated” the hurt he had caused the Greens by ending the agreement and said his replacement would be tasked with “repairing our relationship across the political divide”.