John Swinney 'making personal sacrifice' to become SNP leader

JOHN Swinney has said he is "making a personal sacrifice" to become SNP leader and has had to talk to his wife and son to ensure "we can manage our way through this".

The former deputy first minister is expected to be handed the party's top job on Monday when nominations close after the other likely contender, Kate Forbes, ruled herself out of any contest and gave him her backing.

It is almost certain he will subsequently become Scotland's seventh first minister.

Last year Swinney moved to the backbenches when Nicola Sturgeon resigned as first minister and said at the time he would be spending more time with his wife – who has multiple sclerosis – and teenage son.

He told The National the last eight months of his time as deputy first minister were the most physically and mentally taxing of  his career, adding a move to the backbenches was "the right decision".

But he has insisted the SNP needs to be "brought back together again" and believes he is the person to make that happen.

READ MORE: John Swinney's Scottish independence slogan – how serious is it?

Asked if he was making a personal sacrifice to run for leader, he told ITV Border: "I am making a personal sacrifice to stand for leader of the SNP.

"I thought a year ago I had done my bit. I'd had a long government career, 16 years as a senior minister, and I thought the time was right for me to move on.

"But times and circumstances change. The SNP is in a difficult position just now, it's not as cohesive as it needs to be. It needs to be brought back together again and I believe I've got the skills and the attributes to make that happen.

"That's why I've come forward. I've not walked on by."

Swinney added he had had to take time to make the decision and have conversations with his wife and son to ensure "we can manage our way through this".

He went on: "I was under media pressure almost immediately after the First Minister announced his decision as to whether I would stand and I've had to take time to speak with my wife and my son to make sure we can manage our way through this because this will involve challenges for all of us.

"I am deeply grateful to my wife and my son for the support and the encouragement they've given to do this.

"They know how much I am devoted to the SNP. They know how much I am concerned about where we are as a party and they recognise I've got something to do to help sort that."

READ MORE: Joanna Cherry: I've known John Swinney for decades – but I backed Kate

Swinney has received support from Cabinet Secretaries including Angus Robertson, Mairi McAllan, Shirley-Anne Somerville, and Fiona Hyslop, as well as SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.

Once he is officially SNP leader – a role he previously held from 2000 to 2004 – Swinney will need to be confirmed as first minister.

MSPs will vote to confirm him in the role by a simple majority, meaning abstentions will not be counted.