Summary

  • John Swinney was sworn in as Scotland's first minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh

  • The SNP leader was re-elected as FM by MSPs on Tuesday

  • He pledged to be a first minister for all and said he will work with other parties to achieve common goals

  • Swinney will unveil his new cabinet at St Andrew's House later, with several new ministers set to be announced

Live Reporting

Edited by Craig Williams

  1. John Swinney sworn in as first minister

    James Cook
    Scotland Editor

    The day began with SNP leader John Swinney being sworn in as first minister of Scotland at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

    He was confirmed in the role after the King issued a warrant approving his appointment.

    He took the oath of office, declared his allegiance to King Charles, and was confirmed as Keeper of the Scottish Seal, all without uttering a word but by nodding his head three times.

    The court was silent except for the ticking of a clock, the clicking of a camera shutter, and the scratch of the pen as the first minister signed a parchment to confirm his appointment.

    The Lord President, Lord Pentland, congratulated Swinney on what he called a "great honour".

    Swinney’s wife Elizabeth, his son Matthew and several of his closest advisers watched the ceremony.

    Outside the building, where the original Scottish Parliament sat from 1639 until the 1707 union with England, Swinney said taking the oath had been “daunting”.

    "It's a very solemn proceeding and it emphasises the significance and the weight of responsibility that is carried by the person that holds the office of first minister,” he said.

    John Swinney in blue suit, white shirt and purple tie, standing over two versions of the Great Seal of Scotland.PA Media

    First Minister John Swinney is now also Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland

  2. Welcome

    Good morning and welcome to our live coverage as First Minister John Swinney begins putting together his new cabinet.

    The SNP leader was re-elected as first minister by MSPs at Holyrood yesterday and officially sworn in to the FM role at the Court of Session in Edinburgh this morning.

    He's now inside his official residence Bute House in Charlotte Square, where he will meet and appoint his new top team over the course of the afternoon.

    Our journalists are poised outside and we'll bring you full coverage and analysis right here as the new government takes shape.