John Swinney officially sworn in as Scotland's First Minister and begins announcing members of his cabinet
8 May 2024, 11:24 | Updated: 8 May 2024, 14:06
John Swinney has been sworn in as the new First Minister of Scotland in a ceremony in Edinburgh.
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Mr Swinney - who is the seventh First Minister - is expected to appoint his Cabinet later.
Initially Kate Forbes, who chose not to run in the SNP leadership race was appointed deputy first minister and will play a "significant part" in his government, Mr Swinney said.
Ms Forbes, who served as finance secretary under Nicola Sturgeon, replaces Shona Robison as second in command.
Earlier, appearing before Scotland's most senior judge, he was granted his official title - First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal at the event at the Court of Session.
The new SNP leader succeeded Humza Yousaf after his shock resignation from the position at the end of last month.
Read more: John Swinney elected new first minister by Scottish Parliament after becoming SNP leader
The 60-year-old won the SNP leadership contest on Monday after no other challenger put themselves forward for the top job.
He was backed by 64 MSPs, with his nearest rival Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross picking up 31.
It came just eight days after Yousaf announced he was stepping down, after his decision to terminate the powersharing agreement the SNP had with the Scottish Greens at Holyrood left him facing a vote of no confidence in his leadership.
Yousaf formally tendered his resignation to King Charles last Tuesday.
After a quarter century at Holyrood, Mr Swinney assumed the highest office in the land.
He was among the historic first intake of MSPs when the Scottish Parliament reconvened after 292 years in May 1999.
The ex-MP represented the constituency of former North Tayside Constituency until 2011. Since then, he has been MSP for Perthshire North.
As well as serving as deputy first minister between 2014 and 2023, he has also held ministerial portfolios for education, Covid recovery and finance.
Read more: Green Party's Siân Berry quits London Assembly just three days into the job
