JOHN SWINNEY looks set to be crowned SNP leader and first minister after the campaign of rival Kate Forbes ended before it began.

One week after Humza Yousaf announced the sacking of Scottish Green ministers from his cabinet, a move which led to his resignation, Mr Swinney has emerged as the only contender to replace him.

Mr Swinney had been thought to be winding down his political career after 25 years in Holyrood as caring responsibilities for his wife, who lives with multiple sclerosis, have grown.

However, the former cabinet secretary for finance, education, and deputy first minister — whose 2000-04 spell as SNP leader ended in the party’s worst Holyrood result to date — has been convinced to have another tilt by key backers such as Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.

SNP eyes had turned to Mr Swinney as a unity candidate whose relations with the Greens remains undamaged by last week’s coalition debacle amid fears of a repeat of last year’s contest, which ended in accusations of party stitch-ups, a narrow victory for Mr Yousaf and one defeated candidate — Ash Regan — leaving the SNP to join its former leader Alex Salmond in Alba.

Announcing his candidacy, Mr Swinney was keen to dismiss rumours of being a caretaker until after a general election, expected to be the most challenging for the party since he last led it.

He said: “I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader.

“I am offering to lead my party through the Westminster elections and to lead us beyond the 2026 elections — two contests which I intend to win for the SNP, and for Scotland.

“My message is crisp and simple: I am stepping forward to bring the SNP together, deliver economic growth and social justice, and to deliver the very best future for everyone in a modern, dynamic, diverse Scotland.”

Questioned on Ms Forbes’s leadership ambitions, Mr Swinney praised her as “intelligent, creative, thoughtful person who has much to contribute.”

He added: “If elected, I will make sure Kate is able to make that contribution.”

Just hours later, and a day after they met for talks, Ms Forbes announced she would not spark a repeat of last year’s bruising leadership battle by throwing her hat into the ring.

She said: “In John Swinney we have someone who not only understands that need for reform, but has now committed to delivering it.

“I look forward to playing my role in making that happen.”