SNP activist abandons leadership bid and endorses John Swinney

Graeme McCormick said he had the support to run but is backing former Scottish deputy first minister, who is sole official candidate

A Scottish National party activist has pulled out of the race to become its new leader and has endorsed John Swinney as Scotland’s next first minister.

Graeme McCormick, who stood to become SNP president in 2023, earlier claimed he could gather the 100 signatures needed from 20 different party branches to mount a challenge for the leadership.