John Swinney has announced he will run for the SNP’s leadership and to become first minister of Scotland after Humza Yousaf’s resignation earlier this week.
A spokesperson for the former finance secretary Kate Forbes, who was seen as another contender for the leadership, confirmed that she had had an “informal meeting” with Swinney on Tuesday, increasing speculation he was likely to pitch himself as a unity candidate and offer her a senior role in his administration.
