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John Swinney says the SNP is ‘coming back together again’

John Swinney has said his unopposed election as leader of the Scottish National Party shows the party is "coming back together again".

The former deputy first minister is now set to become the new first minister of Scotland.

A contest was avoided after a veteran SNP activist withdrew a rival bid following talks with Mr Swinney.

Mr Swinney is expected to be nominated by MSPs as first minister as early as Tuesday.

Current first minister Humza Yousaf - who announced his resignation last week - said he would formally quit once a new SNP leader was confirmed.

6 May 2024

SNP leadership contest 2024

SNP (Scottish National Party)

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Mason happy to repeat 'no genocide' claim after SNP expulsion

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Scotland Politics

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SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn

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Sandy Duthie from Aberdeenshire is now the lighthouse keeper on Gabo Island, in Victoria

The Scot in charge of an Australian lighthouse

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Police stand next to a blue trawler vessel moored in a harbour

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The Jacobite Express steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Scottish Highlands

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Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, wearing a blue top and black coat, stands beside Alex Salmond, wearing a blue shirt and dark jacket

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North Macedonian soldiers carrying Alex Salmond's coffin draped in a Saltire towards a private jet

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, wears a blue suit and glasses, as he stands in the House of Commons. Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves sit either side of him on the benches.

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Calum MacColl sung the Gaelic song that won him a gold medal at the Royal National Mòd in 2021.

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BBC Scotland political correspondent Kirsten Campbell

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