John Swinney becomes Scottish first minister after vote by MSPs

New SNP leader becomes seventh to hold the office vacated by Humza Yousaf but without support of Green members

The new Scottish National party leader John Swinney will become Scotland’s seventh first minister after winning the backing of MSPs.

As is traditional, opposition leaders stood against Swinney in the vote, which he won just eight days after Humza Yousaf dramatically announced his departure, with the backing of 64 SNP MSPs, while the seven Scottish Greens abstained.