John Swinney: SNP veteran tipped for top job

Scotland’s longest-serving deputy first minister has emerged as the early frontrunner as the SNP seeks its second new leader in the space of 13 months.

Several high-profile figures in the party backed John Swinney as the best candidate for the job in the wake of Humza Yousaf’s abrupt resignation as First Minister.

The experienced politician would be seen as providing calm leadership at what is a time of political turmoil for Scotland’s governing party.

In September 2000, he took over as leader following the first departure of Alex Salmond, having served as his deputy for two years previously.

His tenure would not be a happy one.

The party’s fortunes would sink, returning just five MPs at the 2001 Westminster election and 22 MSPs in the 2003 Holyrood vote.

But that was not the end of his political story and he was brought back by Mr Salmond to serve as finance secretary when the SNP took power in 2007.

He served in the role for the entirety of Mr Salmond’s tenure, before being appointed deputy first minister by Nicola Sturgeon when she took over.

During his time as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy, he cemented his reputation as a dogged defender of his boss, as well as an SNP stalwart.

But it was not without its challenges, as he faced two close no confidence votes in Holyrood – first over the handling of school exams during the pandemic, and his initial refusal to publish legal advice during the inquiry into the botched handling of harassment complaints against Mr Salmond.

The election of Humza Yousaf as First Minister saw Mr Swinney call time on his career in Cabinet, but the urging of colleagues may be enough to see him seek the top job.