John Swinney has backed Humza Yousaf to replace Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland's next first minister.
The outgoing Deputy First Minister said the current Scottish Health Secretary was the candidate who could "strengthen the SNP as a force for progressive change in Scottish politics".
Mr Swinney is the most senior politician to have publicly endorsed one of the three candidates running to be the next SNP leader - with Mr Yousaf hailing it as a "massive boost" for his campaign.
