John Swinney confirmed as new leader of SNP

Former Scottish deputy first minister John Swinney has been confirmed as the new leader of the SNP.

It comes after no other possible candidates went forward to challenge him for the position of party leader.

After nominations for the post closed, the former Scottish deputy first minister was confirmed as the only person to put themselves forward to succeed Humza Yousaf.

It is the second time Mr Sweeney leads the party, having held the post as party leader between 2000 and 2004.

Mr Swinney will now face a vote at Holyrood later this week, where it is likely he will become the Scottish Parliament’s nominated candidate to be the country’s seventh first minister.

It comes just a week after Mr Yousaf announced he was stepping down as both SNP leader and Scottish First Minister, after his decision to tear up his party’s powersharing deal with the Greens at Holyrood left him facing a vote of confidence.