Scotland’s most senior police officer has said detectives probing SNP party finances will report their findings to prosecutors “in a matter of weeks”.
01.05.2024 - 23:33 / dailyrecord.co.uk
Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney will launch his leadership bid for the SNP in Edinburgh today.
Swinney will finally confirm he is running after receiving support from nearly every member of the Scottish Cabinet.
His campaign launch is expected to be in central Edinburgh at 10.30am.
Kate Forbes, his rival for replacing Humza Yousaf, is poised to reveal her hand as well.
It is understood Swinney is not in favour of a contest and would be willing to offer Forbes a Cabinet post in return for not standing.
Former leader Nicola Sturgeon appealed for calm yesterday after supporters of the pair raised tensions.
Her plea came as the two contenders held secret talks to avoid putting the party through a divisive contest.
In a sign tensions are running high, Sturgeon said:
“I hope the contest is positive. I hope it is forward looking and I hope it focuses on the things that the SNP needs to do to continue its very strong election-winning streak."
Sturgeon is close to Swinney, who was her deputy for nine years, but she praised Forbes:
“Kate was a member of my cabinet. I appointed her to government, so she is undoubtedly a woman of considerable talent, but as far as I aware she hasn’t declared her candidacy.”
She added: “What I would say to my party is keep the contest positive, keep it civilised, keep it very much focused on the future.”
“I would encourage members to think about the choice that does emerge from first principles, what is best for the SNP for the future.
“We have been in government for a considerable number of years…..and the focus now has to be on what is right for Scotland going forward and what enables the SNP to continue winning elections.”
Swinney and Forbes, who have a good relationship, spoke at Holyrood on
Scotland’s most senior police officer has said detectives probing SNP party finances will report their findings to prosecutors “in a matter of weeks”.
The vile racist abuse which Humza Yousaf said he had to defy to become first minister is today exposed by the Sunday Mail.
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An SNP activist who planned to challenge John Swinney for the party's leadership has pulled out of the running.
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‘Leather Tour’ all over North America in early 2024, country star Cody Johnson is coming back for seconds.From May through November, the “Son of a Ramblin’ Man” singer announced he will return to the road for more concerts at stadiums, arenas and festivals in the U.S. and Canada.While he won’t hit New York or New Jersey on this upcoming run, CoJo will get close when he performs at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center on Friday, Nov.
John Swinney has reached out to Kate Forbes as he fired the starting gun on the SNP leadership race today by declaring he was the best person to succeed Humza Yousaf.
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Kate Forbes has said she has a “groundswell” of support as she seriously considers a bid to be SNP leader.
An SNP Minister has warned Kate Forbes would need Tory support to become the next First Minister.
Kate Forbes has refused to address whether she will run for the SNP leadership in her first statement since Humza Yousaf resigned as First Minister.
Humza Yousaf is set to resign as Scotland’s First Minister ahead of forthcoming confidence votes.
Humza Yousaf has resigned as First Minister today rather than risk losing a vote of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament.
Humza Yousaf is considering resigning as First Minister ahead of a vote of no confidence in him, according to reports.