JOHN Swinney has been crowned as the SNP’s new leader after it was confirmed he would not be opposed in his bid to succeed Humza Yousaf.
The veteran Nat staved off a late attempt by a party activist to challenge him for the position, avoiding the prospect of a leadership contest.
As leader of the largest party at Holyrood, Mr Swinney is now set to be voted in by MSPs on Tuesday before officially being sworn in as First Minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
It should mean that Mr Swinney is in place to face his inaugural First Minister’s Questions session at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.
Mr Swinney has previously faced MSPs at FMQs, having stepped in to cover for Nicola Sturgeon while he was deputy FM, including when she tested positive for Covid-19 back in 2022.
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It is the second time the MSP for Perthshire North has been SNP leader, having led the party between 2000 and 2004.
Following his confirmation, Mr Swinney said: "I am deeply honoured to have been elected as leader of the SNP.
"I will give all that I have to serve my party and my country."
Meanwhile, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie warned Mr Swinney his party would oppose any move away from policies introduced as part of the power-sharing Bute House Agreement.
He said: "Scotland needs a period of stable government. 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.
“The next Scottish Government will face an important choice. Will they offer a progressive vision for Scotland’s future, or will they retreat toward the tepid middle ground, which would force them to rely on the Tories and other pro-union parties?
“There are a lot of important policies already on their way to delivery as a result of the Bute House Agreement, including better rights for tenants and rent controls, transforming the way we heat our homes and a watertight ban on conversion therapy.
“We remain utterly committed to these policies and will oppose any move away from them or steps to dilute them.
"It is also clear that the new Climate Bill must be used to bring about the pace of change that has been lacking since the SNP first started missing climate targets."
Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross urged the new SNP leader to drop the party's bid for separation.
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And he vowed the Tories would "hold John Swinney to account" when he "lets the Scottish people down".
He said: “It’s difficult to see how he can be the fresh start Scotland needs, when he’s the ultimate continuity candidate.
"John Swinney was joined at the hip with the disgraced Nicola Sturgeon and his fingerprints are all over her numerous policy failures and cover-ups.
“With John Swinney at the helm, the SNP will double down on their independence obsession, the one issue they agree on, and ignore the real priorities of the Scottish people, such as fixing our ailing public services and growing the economy."
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar panned Mr Swinney's record in government as a minister under both Ms Sturgeon and Alex Salmond.
He said: “John Swinney has been at the heart of this incompetent government for 17 years and at the heart of the SNP for 40 years.
“From presiding over the exam results scandal as Education Secretary to destroying public finances as Finance Secretary, John Swinney’s record is one of failure."
