John Swinney is tipped to become Scotland’s next first minister after Graeme McCormick pulled out of the SNP leadership race.
Mr McCormick’s decision to drop-out of the leadership contest means Mr Swinney is the only candidate in the running the replace Humza Yousaf as first minister.
Mr Yousaf announced his decision to resign from the position last week after a power-sharing deal with the Scottish Green Party was ended.
Mr McCormick said he had a “lengthy and fruitful conversation” with Mr Swinney before deciding to withdraw from the race.
According to Politics UK, he added: “John and I agreed the challenges which the SNP, our Government and our people face, and explored new thinking on a range of issues which I am confident, as they are advanced, will inspire activists both within the SNP and wider Independence Movement in the following weeks and months.
“This is a fresh start for our members and our politicians, and I’m sure that John’s determination to deliver Independence will be rewarded at the forthcoming general election.
“I have therefore concluded that I shall not proceed with my nomination for party leader but instead support John Swinney’s nomination for party leader and first minister of Scotland.”
Mr Swinney, who previously led his party from 2000 to 2004, had previously warned a leadership contest could delay the SNP‘s “rebuild”.
Speaking to Sunday Morning with Trevor Philips on Sky News, he said: “I think the SNP has got a chance to start rebuilding from the difficult period that we have had, under my leadership, and bluntly, I’d just like to get on with that as quickly as I possible can do, because every day that we spend in an internal contest, which I think we all probably know the outcome of, we delay the possibility for the SNP to start its rebuilding.”
It is likely he will now become first minister as early as next week after a Holyrood vote.
Activist Mr McCormick would have been unable to become first minister if he won a leadership election because he is not elected in the Scottish Parliament. According to the PA news agency, he is understood to have told SNP members they should be two roles.
