John Swinney 'considering' running to replace Humza Yousaf as SNP leader

John Swinney has said he is giving "very careful consideration" to standing to be the next leader of the SNP, after Humza Yousaf confirmed he is to step down.

Mr Yousaf decided to resign as SNP leader, and First Minister, rather than face two votes of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament.

The motions, from the Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour, came about as a result of his decision to terminate the powersharing deal the SNP had with the Scottish Greens.

But before those votes could take place, he announced he would stepping down from the post he said he had been "blessed" to have.

Just 90 minutes later, Mr Swinney, who served as Scottish deputy first minister for eight years under Mr Yousaf's predecessor Nicola Surgeon, said he was giving "active consideration" to running for the job.

Mr Swinney, who left the role of deputy first minister when Nicola Sturgeon stepped down as first minister last year, said he had been "somewhat overwhelmed" by messages from colleagues in the SNP urging him to take on the role.

Senior figures within the SNP, including long-serving MP Pete Wishart, former Westminster leader Ian Blackford, and fellow MP Alyn Smith have all called on him to stand.

Speaking in London, where he had been for an event to mark the upcoming 25th anniversary of devolution, he said he had had "many, many messages from colleagues across the party".

He added he was "giving that issue very active consideration" with Mr Swinney stating: "It is likely I will have more to say about that in the days to come."

He added: "I've got lots of things to think about, there's the whole question of my family, and I have make sure I do the right thing by family, they are precious to me."

But he also said: "I have to do the right thing by my party and my country. So there is lots to be thought about."

His comments came after Mr Yousaf announced his decision to step down as SNP leader and Scottish First Minister - though he said he would stay on in the post until a successor was found.

Support for John Swinney is strong within the SNP

Scottish Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth, who had been suggested by some as a possible successor to Mr Yousaf, said that the former deputy first minster was "the best choice" to be the next first minister and SNP leader.

"I will be strongly supporting him if, as I hope, he chooses to run," she said

Mr Wishart meanwhile said that Mr Swinney "would be an excellent unifier for our country and our party".

Whoever takes on the role is likely to have to find a way to work with the Scottish Greens at Holyrood, with Mr Yousaf admitting he had "clearly underestimated the level of hurt and upset" he had caused when he ended the powersharing deal between the two parties.

It is understood Kate Forbes, who ran against Humza Yousaf in last year’s leadership contest, is also considering a fresh bid.

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