JOHN Swinney is expected to make a statement on whether or not he will stand to be the new leader of the SNP following Humza Yousaf’s resignation.
The Perthshire North MSP, who served as Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy for almost nine years, announced late last night that he was preparing to make a statement on speculation he will run for the leadership.
Swinney was also SNP leader between 2000 and 2004, standing down after a poor showing at the European elections.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Swinney said he was giving the idea of running for the leadership “a great deal of thought”.
Senior party members, including Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Scotland’s Health Secretary Neil Gray and Scotland’s Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, have already said they would support Swinney if he decides to stand for election.
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He is expected to make his statement at 10.30am at the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh.
Former finance secretary Kate Forbes is also set to make a statement on whether she will run for the SNP leadership, in the hours after Swinney's announcement.
The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP narrowly lost to Yousaf in the SNP leadership election last year, receiving 48% of the vote whilst Yousaf received 52%.
It is understood that Forbes and Swinney have reportedly held “secret talks” about cutting a deal, after being tipped as the frontrunners for the leadership race.
Several senior party members have backed Forbes, including those regularly at odds with the SNP leadership such as Joanna Cherry and Fergus Ewing.
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