Swinney sworn in as Scotland’s First Minister in ‘overwhelming’ ceremony

Being sworn in as Scotland’s new First Minister was an “overwhelming moment”, John Swinney has said, as he vowed to stick to his pledge to give Kate Forbes a “significant role” in his team as he appoints his Cabinet.

Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord President Lord Carloway, presided over the ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday morning where Mr Swinney made his statutory declarations and was granted his official title of First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal.

Mr Swinney raised his right hand and bowed his head as Lord Carloway read the three oaths of office – for the role of First Minister, the Keeper of the Great Seal and the oath of allegiance to the King.

The Lord President then addressed the court about the independence of the judiciary.

Mr Swinney’s family, including his wife Elizabeth, brother David and 13-year-old son Matthew, accompanied him to court.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Mr Swinney said taking the oaths had been an “overwhelming moment” and he spoke of his pride at being First Minister and his family’s support.

“It’s a really overwhelming moment to take the oath of office in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and formally assume the role of First Minister,” he said.

“I look forward to dedicating my future to serving the people of Scotland.

“It’s an extraordinary opportunity to change lives for the better and I’ll continue to use every moment that’s available to me to do so.

“For my family this is a very abrupt change of our circumstances. We didn’t think this would happening about 10 days ago.”

He said they are making plans to adapt and it had been “very precious” to have his family at his side at the swearing in.

Asked about former finance secretary Ms Forbes – who announced she would not run against him for the SNP leadership after a discussion with him – and whether she will have a role in his Cabinet, Mr Swinney referred to his speech last week where he said he wanted her to have a “significant role” to play in his team.

He added: “I’m a man of my word.”

Mr Swinney said: “It’s important that I have a Cabinet that brings together the strengths and talents of the Scottish National Party, a Cabinet that can work constructively and collaboratively with Parliament and with other parties to ensure our agenda can be taken forward.”

The Perthshire North MSP had pledged to devote himself to the job after being voted into the role at Holyrood on Tuesday, and he becomes the seventh person to be First Minister since the Scottish Parliament was established 25 years ago.

It came following an unopposed SNP selection process a week after predecessor Humza Yousaf resigned.