John Swinney is crowned as SNP leader - and is set to become Scotland's new ... trends now
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John Swinney has been crowned the new SNP leader today after nominations in the party's contest to replace Humza Yousaf closed without him being challenged.
It was announced shortly after the midday deadline that Mr Swinney had ran unopposed after SNP figures moved to dodge another divisive leadership battle.
Following his confirmation as the SNP's new leader, Mr Swinney is now likely to become Scotland's next first minister - replacing Mr Yousaf - in the coming days.
He will 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.
Party activist Graeme McCormick yesterday said he had secured the 100 nominations from 20 SNP branches needed to run against Mr Swinney.
But he later confirmed he had backed out of a leadership challenge after 'lengthy and fruitful' conversations with Mr Swinney.
Mr Swinney had earlier warned that a full-blown contest could damage the party's chances of recovering from a 'difficult' period.
John Swinney is set to be crowned the new SNP leader today when nominations in the party's contest to replace Humza Yousaf close at noon
The SNP were forced to look for a third new leader in little more than a year after Mr Yousaf, who replaced Nicola Sturgeon in March 2023, announced his resignation last Monday
