Scotland's former Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, has been confirmed as the new leader of the SNP today after no other possible candidates came forward to challenge him for the position.

After nominations for the post closed, Swinney was confirmed as the only person to put themselves forward to succeed Humza Yousaf following his resignation last week.

Swinney will face a vote at Holyrood later this week, where it is likely he will become the Scottish Parliament’s nominated candidate to be the country’s seventh First Minister.

Yousaf announced he was stepping down as both Scottish First Minister and SNP leader on April 29 after his decision to tear up his party’s power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens left him facing a vote of confidence.

John Swinney is expected to be Scotland’s next First Minister

The outgoing First Minister said last week he made the decision in order to "repair our relationship across the political divide" in Scotland.

During a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, he told reporters: "After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, I have concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm.

"I have therefore informed the SNP's national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader and ask that she commences a leadership contest for my replacement as soon as possible."

Outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf, pictured after his resignation speech last Monday