The race to replace Humza Yousaf begins: The headlines
If you're just joining us now, here's a recap of the headlines today:
The race to replace Humza Yousaf as leader of the SNP and ultimately Scotland's next first minister is under way, despite neither of the main candidates having declared they will run
John Swinney says he's giving a "great deal of thought" whether to run for SNP leader.
The former deputy first minister says he wants to ensure it's the right decision for his family, party and country
He has the backing of a number of senior SNP figures including the party's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and cabinet members Economy Secretary Mairi McAllan, Health Secretary Neil Gray, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson
SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said: “Fewer people dislike
John Swinney than dislike Kate Forbes”
Meanwhile Kate Forbes insists she has a "groundswell of support amongst the party" as she tells BBC Scotland News that she's still weighing up whether to run to be the next SNP leader
Speaking in Holyrood, Forbes says she's considering whether it's the right time for the party, the country and her family. She has received the backing of SNP MP Joanna Cherry and MSPs Ivan McKee and Fergus Ewing
A Labour motion of no confidence in the Scottish government will be debated at Holyrood tomorrow afternoon
The Scottish Greens have accused Labour of "game playing" over the no confidence motion
Earlier, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross said his party would no longer press ahead with its no confidence vote in Yousaf, as they have already achieved their goal of removing him from office
WATCH: Swinney giving SNP leadership 'great deal of thought'
Video content
Video caption: John Swinney giving SNP leadership 'a great deal of thought'John Swinney giving SNP leadership 'a great deal of thought'
Former SNP leader John Swinney has said he is giving a "great deal of thought" to standing again as leader.
Swinney is the front-runner to become the new first minister after the resignation of Humza Yousaf.
The process inviting candidates to stand is under way and the next SNP leader would then need to seek parliamentary approval to succeed Yousaf as first minister.
Swinney said he would be doing a disservice to the "many, many people" asking him to stand if he did not think about the prospect of putting his name forward properly.
Who have been Scotland's first ministers?
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
We're ending our live coverage shortly, but before we go here's some numbers for political stats enthusiasts.
The Scottish Parliament is 25 years old this year and has so far had six first ministers.
Scottish Labour provided the first three - Donald Dewar (1999 to 2000), Henry McLeish (2000 to 2001) and Jack McConnell (2001 to 2007).
The next three were from the Scottish National Party: Alex Salmond (2007 to 2014), Nicola Sturgeon (2014 to 2023) and Humza Yousaf (2023 to 2024).
The longest serving has been Nicola Sturgeon and the shortest stint was that of Henry McLeish.
In pictures: SNP's Forbes, Swinney and others seen in Holyrood today
The race to find the next first minister may be kicking off after Humza Yousaf's resignation but it's been business as usual for SNP MSPs as they gathered for today's debates at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.Image caption: Former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson (left) and Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney.Image caption: SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson (left) and Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Cabinet members Jenny Gilruth, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Angus Robertson.Image caption: Cabinet members Jenny Gilruth, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Angus Robertson.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf (centre).Image caption: Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf (centre).
'Fewer people dislike Swinney than Forbes' says SNP MP
David Porter
Scotland Westminster editor
UK ParliamentCopyright: UK Parliament
A senior SNP MP has suggested "fewer people dislike John Swinney than dislike Kate Forbes".
Kirsty Blackman, the MP for Aberdeen North, said she would not decide who to endorse until she knows who will stand in the contest.
During the last leadership contest, Blackman supported Humza Yousaf.
A growing number of SNP MPs - including Stephen Flynn and Ian Blackford - seem to be moving to back John Swinney and believe if there is a contest, it should be held quickly.
'We are determined to remove SNP from office' says Scottish Tory leader
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says his party will work to remove the SNP government.
In a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Scottish Tory party leader Douglas Ross says Humza Yousaf is a "failing first minister".
He adds that he thinks Yousaf's government has "failed" the nation and is "letting down" Scotland.
Video caption: Watch: Forbes asked if she will stand in SNP leadership raceWatch: Forbes asked if she will stand in SNP leadership race
Kate Forbes says she is considering a bid to succeed Humza Yousaf as SNP leader.
The former finance secretary tells BBC Scotland News she has a "groundswell of support amongst the members", and has not "ruled anything out".
Watch the clip above to hear what she has to say.
Swinney seen as a 'safe pair of hands' says polling expert
BBCCopyright: BBC
Polling expert, Prof Sir John Curtice, spoke to BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme
and broke down the most recent polling which was taken after Humza Yousaf announced
the termination of the Bute House agreement.
Curtice says the poll indicates the first minister’s popularity
suffered damage in the wake of his decision to end the power-sharing agreement.
He says: "His downfall is probably good news for the SNP in
one sense in that it does give them a possibility of putting in place a leader
who might prove to be more effective in doing the job in the eyes of the public
including those who voted for the SNP in the past."
The polling, says Curtice, did not ask the electorate about
potential candidate Kate Forbes but did ask about John Swinney.
"It found that amongst 2019 SNP voters, about 50% of them
said they felt favourably toward him, around 20% said they felt unfavourably.
Curtice says Swinney is somebody who can deflect criticism, is seen as a "safe pair of hands" and can “avoid
difficult questions on programmes like this, in a way that frankly no other
Scottish politician is as good at - but of course that’s only part of what’s
needed".
Who's being backed among the SNP's grassroots?
PA WireCopyright: PA Wire
John Swinney is garnering more support but has yet to declare he'll enter the raceImage caption: John Swinney is garnering more support but has yet to declare he'll enter the race
We've heard from a lot of the SNP's big hitters, but who are grassroots members backing for leader?
As we've been reporting, there appear to be two possible contenders for Scotland's next first minister at the moment - John Swinney and Kate Forbes - although neither has declared they are running yet.
SNP activist Chelsea Cameron tells BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live she would definitely like to see John Swinney put himself forward.
"I'm happy to put on record that I'd be supporting him," she says, before adding "he's a man of stability, experience and I think he could unify the party".
Fellow activist Jacob Ross believes there is a "wealth of talent within the SNP" and he thinks Kate Forbes would be an "interesting leader".
He says there are a few names missing from the list of potential first ministers, including people like Fiona Hyslop, Christina McKelvie and Angus Robertson.
If it comes down to a race between Kate Forbes and John Swinney, Jacob says he would prefer the latter.
Analysis
Will John Swinney be the next SNP leader?
James Cook
Scotland Editor, BBC News
Among the potential contenders for the SNP leadership, John Swinney's experience is unrivalled.
He has packed a lot of politics into his 60 years, joining the SNP at the age of 15.
Swinney has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since Tony Blair's Labour Party devolved power to Edinburgh a quarter of a century ago.
He has a decade as finance secretary, six years running the education department and a nine-year stint as Nicola Sturgeon's deputy first minister under his belt.
If it is experience you want, Swinney is hard to beat, although there are arguably two John Swinneys.
In public he has been a doughty defender of independence, a parliamentary performer not averse to barracking and heckling his political opponents.
In short, tribal. And yet, behind the scenes, he is that rare figure in politics, a man widely regarded by friend and foe alike as decent, kind and honest.
PACopyright: PA
Many senior colleagues in the SNP are urging him to run, hopeful that he can provide both stability and wisdom after 39-year-old Humza Yousaf's brief, and often troubled, tenure.
They include Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan, Health Secretary Neil Gray and Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.
Swinney, MSP for North Perthshire, is a member of the Church of Scotland and describes himself as a man of deep faith while his most likely rival appears to be Kate Forbes, the former finance secretary who ran Yousaf close in a leadership contest a little over a year ago, also a devout Christian.
During that contest Swinney criticised her for saying she would have voted against gay marriage had she been an MSP in 2014.
"I'm a man of deep Christian faith," he said, "but I do not hold the same views as Kate has set out in the course of the last couple of days".
Health Secretary Neil Gray is backing John Swinney to be the next leader of the SNP, if the former deputy first minister decides to stand.
Gray says what is needed now is stability, diplomacy and experience.
He says he thinks John Swinney is the man to take the nation forward and he hopes he will stand.
Asked whether he will stand himself, Gray says he couldn’t be any clearer that he thinks John Swinney is the man and he has what is needed right now.
"He has the characteristics, he has the skills and experience that we need," he says.
Swinney still giving leadership bid 'great deal of thought'
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
John Swinney has just said that he's giving a "great deal of thought" to whether to run for SNP leader.
The former deputy first minister said he wanted to ensure it was the right decision for his family, party and country. His potential leadership rival Kate Forbes said something similar a few minutes before.
Asked about his decision to not run for the leadership again last year, John Swinney said "events change" and that it "wouldn't be my style" to ignore the voices telling him to run this time.
Forbes believes she has 'groundswell of support' among SNP members
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Kate Forbes has said she has a "groundswell of support amongst the party" as she told BBC Scotland News that she's still weighing up whether to run to be the next SNP leader.
Speaking in Holyrood, Forbes said she was considering her options and whether this was the right time for the party, the country and her family.
Greens accuse Labour of 'game playing' over no confidence motion
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
Scottish Labour's motion is unlikely to pass, says Green MSP Gillian MackayImage caption: Scottish Labour's motion is unlikely to pass, says Green MSP Gillian Mackay
The
Scottish Greens have urged Labour MSPs to stop their "game playing" and drop
their planned confidence vote in the Scottish government.
We've reported that Holyrood will debate the no confidence motion tomorrow afternoon.
Labour are likely to lose the vote without the backing of the Greens.
Earlier the Scottish Tories confirmed they had withdrawn their proposed confidence
vote in the first minister.
Green MSP Gillian
Mackay said Labour's motion had no chance of passing.
What happens if the no confidence motion in the Scottish government passes?
PACopyright: PA
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will lead the debate on his motion of no confidence from 14:50 tomorrow afternoonImage caption: Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will lead the debate on his motion of no confidence from 14:50 tomorrow afternoon
A Labour vote of no confidence in the Scottish government has been scheduled to go ahead tomorrow afternoon, despite Humza Yousaf announcing his resignation yesterday.
If the motion passes, government ministers would be obliged to stand down.
Only a simple majority would be required, meaning the number of members voting in favour of the motion would have to be greater than those opposed.
The Scottish Greens have urged Labour MSPs to stop their “game playing” and drop the vote.
This means the motion will almost certainly be defeated.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Conservatives have dropped their vote of confidence in the first minister.
Who is potential SNP leader Kate Forbes?
Angus Cochrane
BBC Scotland News
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Kate Forbes quickly climbed the political ladder after being elected to Holyrood in 2016, aged just 26Image caption: Kate Forbes quickly climbed the political ladder after being elected to Holyrood in 2016, aged just 26
In her relatively short political career, Kate Forbes has already experienced the highs and lows of a career at Holyrood.
She enjoyed a rapid rise to become Scotland's first female finance secretary in 2020, but was narrowly defeated in last year's SNP leadership contest by Humza Yousaf.
It is now being speculated that the backbench MSP could make a second bid for her party's top job.
The former minister left the cabinet in March 2023 after being offered the rural affairs brief by Yousaf, which would have been considered a major demotion.
During the SNP leadership campaign, Forbes - a member of the Free Church of Scotland - came under fire for her views on gay marriage, abortion, trans rights and having children outside of marriage.
Another notable feature of Forbes' campaign was her opposition to the SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens - the collapse of which led to Yousaf's resignation.
Considered a gifted and intelligent politician, she won the backing of 48% of the SNP membership last time they chose a leader.
The big question remains whether, in the aftermath of a bitter political fight over "progressive" politics, she can get the backing needed in parliament to take her to Bute House.
Ivan McKee is backing Kate Forbes, who he says would be a "fabulous first minister"Image caption: Ivan McKee is backing Kate Forbes, who he says would be a "fabulous first minister"
SNP MSPs have been having their
say on the party leadership, with John Swinney and Kate Forbes reported to be
considering campaigns.
Former Business Minister Ivan McKee, who briefly served as campaign manager for Forbes during last year's leadership contest, has said she would be an “excellent candidate” and a “fabulous first minister”.
He says she "reaches out to bits of the public that others in the party don’t" and concedes that "frankly at the moment we need all the support we can get".
McKee adds he thinks Forbes would bring "a really fresh perspective, and a new vision for the party and the wider independence movement”.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Kevin Stewart has urged John Swinney to run for the leadershipImage caption: Kevin Stewart has urged John Swinney to run for the leadership
Former minister Kevin Stewart backed Swinney. “John Swinney has the experience to be an absolutely fantastic first minister and I believe that he can unite the party and bring us forward to our goal of independence,” he told BBC Scotland News.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said party member should look to someone who can “bring the party together” and who has the “diplomacy skills and experience” to run a minority administration.
Christine Grahame did not back any MSP but said there should be a “competition” and not a “coronation”.
“We’ve had one before and it’s not a good idea,” she told BBC Scotland News, referring to Nicola Sturgeon’s unopposed leadership campaign in 2014.
Swinney and Forbes not attending SNP meeting
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
Neither John Swinney or Kate Forbes appear to be in attendance at the weekly meeting of SNP MSPs at Holyrood.
With both weighing up leadership bids, perhaps they’re
choosing to spend their time another way today.
Humza Yousaf got a round of applause as he arrived - but he
wouldn’t tell me who he wants to succeed him as SNP leader.
Applause for Yousaf at 'business as usual' cabinet meeting
Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent
The cabinet gathered at Bute House for its usual weekly
meeting this morning.
Ministers stood and applauded the outgoing First Minister
Humza Yousaf as he entered the cabinet room.
He told his colleagues that being first minister had been
the greatest honour of his life and he was grateful for the opportunity.
Ministers discussed how minority government would work in
practice in the future.
The first minister’s spokesman stressed that government
business will proceed as usual, while the SNP chooses its new leader.
Live Reporting
Edited by James Harness and Graeme Esson
All times stated are UK
Get involved
-
The race to replace Humza Yousaf as leader of the SNP and ultimately Scotland's next first minister is under way, despite neither of the main candidates having declared they will run
- John Swinney says he's giving a "great deal of thought" whether to run for SNP leader.
-
The former deputy first minister says he wants to ensure it's the right decision for his family, party and country
-
He has the backing of a number of senior SNP figures including the party's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and cabinet members Economy Secretary Mairi McAllan, Health Secretary Neil Gray, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson
-
SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said: “Fewer people dislike
John Swinney than dislike Kate Forbes”
-
Meanwhile Kate Forbes insists she has a "groundswell of support amongst the party" as she tells BBC Scotland News that she's still weighing up whether to run to be the next SNP leader
-
Speaking in Holyrood, Forbes says she's considering whether it's the right time for the party, the country and her family. She has received the backing of SNP MP Joanna Cherry and MSPs Ivan McKee and Fergus Ewing
-
A Labour motion of no confidence in the Scottish government will be debated at Holyrood tomorrow afternoon
-
The Scottish Greens have accused Labour of "game playing" over the no confidence motion
-
Earlier, Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross said his party would no longer press ahead with its no confidence vote in Yousaf, as they have already achieved their goal of removing him from office
Video caption: John Swinney giving SNP leadership 'a great deal of thought'John Swinney giving SNP leadership 'a great deal of thought' 
ReutersCopyright: Reuters 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes.Image caption: Former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes. 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson (left) and Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney.Image caption: SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson (left) and Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney. 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Cabinet members Jenny Gilruth, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Angus Robertson.Image caption: Cabinet members Jenny Gilruth, Shirley-Anne Somerville and Angus Robertson. 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf (centre).Image caption: Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf (centre). 
UK ParliamentCopyright: UK Parliament 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Video caption: Watch: Forbes asked if she will stand in SNP leadership raceWatch: Forbes asked if she will stand in SNP leadership race 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
PA WireCopyright: PA Wire John Swinney is garnering more support but has yet to declare he'll enter the raceImage caption: John Swinney is garnering more support but has yet to declare he'll enter the race Analysis
PACopyright: PA 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media Scottish Labour's motion is unlikely to pass, says Green MSP Gillian MackayImage caption: Scottish Labour's motion is unlikely to pass, says Green MSP Gillian Mackay 
PACopyright: PA Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will lead the debate on his motion of no confidence from 14:50 tomorrow afternoonImage caption: Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar will lead the debate on his motion of no confidence from 14:50 tomorrow afternoon 
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images Kate Forbes quickly climbed the political ladder after being elected to Holyrood in 2016, aged just 26Image caption: Kate Forbes quickly climbed the political ladder after being elected to Holyrood in 2016, aged just 26 
BBCCopyright: BBC Ivan McKee is backing Kate Forbes, who he says would be a "fabulous first minister"Image caption: Ivan McKee is backing Kate Forbes, who he says would be a "fabulous first minister" 
BBCCopyright: BBC Kevin Stewart has urged John Swinney to run for the leadershipImage caption: Kevin Stewart has urged John Swinney to run for the leadership 
Latest PostThank you and good afternoon
That's all from the live page team today.
The editors were Malu Cursino, Graeme Esson, Paul McLaren, Jack Burgess and James Harness.
The writers were Ali Abbas Ahmadi, Ece Goksedef, Hollie Cole, Seher Asaf, Ashleigh Keenan-Bryce, Rachel Grant and Craig Hutchison.
You can continue to follows events by clicking on our main story here.
Thank you for joining us.
The race to replace Humza Yousaf begins: The headlines
If you're just joining us now, here's a recap of the headlines today:
WATCH: Swinney giving SNP leadership 'great deal of thought'
Video content
Former SNP leader John Swinney has said he is giving a "great deal of thought" to standing again as leader.
Swinney is the front-runner to become the new first minister after the resignation of Humza Yousaf.
The process inviting candidates to stand is under way and the next SNP leader would then need to seek parliamentary approval to succeed Yousaf as first minister.
Swinney said he would be doing a disservice to the "many, many people" asking him to stand if he did not think about the prospect of putting his name forward properly.
Who have been Scotland's first ministers?
We're ending our live coverage shortly, but before we go here's some numbers for political stats enthusiasts.
The Scottish Parliament is 25 years old this year and has so far had six first ministers.
Scottish Labour provided the first three - Donald Dewar (1999 to 2000), Henry McLeish (2000 to 2001) and Jack McConnell (2001 to 2007).
The next three were from the Scottish National Party: Alex Salmond (2007 to 2014), Nicola Sturgeon (2014 to 2023) and Humza Yousaf (2023 to 2024).
The longest serving has been Nicola Sturgeon and the shortest stint was that of Henry McLeish.
In pictures: SNP's Forbes, Swinney and others seen in Holyrood today
The race to find the next first minister may be kicking off after Humza Yousaf's resignation but it's been business as usual for SNP MSPs as they gathered for today's debates at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.
'Fewer people dislike Swinney than Forbes' says SNP MP
David Porter
Scotland Westminster editor
A senior SNP MP has suggested "fewer people dislike John Swinney than dislike Kate Forbes".
Kirsty Blackman, the MP for Aberdeen North, said she would not decide who to endorse until she knows who will stand in the contest.
During the last leadership contest, Blackman supported Humza Yousaf.
A growing number of SNP MPs - including Stephen Flynn and Ian Blackford - seem to be moving to back John Swinney and believe if there is a contest, it should be held quickly.
'We are determined to remove SNP from office' says Scottish Tory leader
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross says his party will work to remove the SNP government.
In a video on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Scottish Tory party leader Douglas Ross says Humza Yousaf is a "failing first minister".
He adds that he thinks Yousaf's government has "failed" the nation and is "letting down" Scotland.
WATCH: 'I'm weighing everything up' - Forbes still considering leadership bid
Video content
Kate Forbes says she is considering a bid to succeed Humza Yousaf as SNP leader.
The former finance secretary tells BBC Scotland News she has a "groundswell of support amongst the members", and has not "ruled anything out".
Watch the clip above to hear what she has to say.
Swinney seen as a 'safe pair of hands' says polling expert
Polling expert, Prof Sir John Curtice, spoke to BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live programme and broke down the most recent polling which was taken after Humza Yousaf announced the termination of the Bute House agreement.
Curtice says the poll indicates the first minister’s popularity suffered damage in the wake of his decision to end the power-sharing agreement.
He says: "His downfall is probably good news for the SNP in one sense in that it does give them a possibility of putting in place a leader who might prove to be more effective in doing the job in the eyes of the public including those who voted for the SNP in the past."
The polling, says Curtice, did not ask the electorate about potential candidate Kate Forbes but did ask about John Swinney.
"It found that amongst 2019 SNP voters, about 50% of them said they felt favourably toward him, around 20% said they felt unfavourably.
Curtice says Swinney is somebody who can deflect criticism, is seen as a "safe pair of hands" and can “avoid difficult questions on programmes like this, in a way that frankly no other Scottish politician is as good at - but of course that’s only part of what’s needed".
Who's being backed among the SNP's grassroots?
We've heard from a lot of the SNP's big hitters, but who are grassroots members backing for leader?
As we've been reporting, there appear to be two possible contenders for Scotland's next first minister at the moment - John Swinney and Kate Forbes - although neither has declared they are running yet.
SNP activist Chelsea Cameron tells BBC Radio Scotland's Lunchtime Live she would definitely like to see John Swinney put himself forward.
"I'm happy to put on record that I'd be supporting him," she says, before adding "he's a man of stability, experience and I think he could unify the party".
Fellow activist Jacob Ross believes there is a "wealth of talent within the SNP" and he thinks Kate Forbes would be an "interesting leader".
He says there are a few names missing from the list of potential first ministers, including people like Fiona Hyslop, Christina McKelvie and Angus Robertson.
If it comes down to a race between Kate Forbes and John Swinney, Jacob says he would prefer the latter.
Will John Swinney be the next SNP leader?
James Cook
Scotland Editor, BBC News
Among the potential contenders for the SNP leadership, John Swinney's experience is unrivalled.
He has packed a lot of politics into his 60 years, joining the SNP at the age of 15.
Swinney has been a member of the Scottish Parliament since Tony Blair's Labour Party devolved power to Edinburgh a quarter of a century ago.
He has a decade as finance secretary, six years running the education department and a nine-year stint as Nicola Sturgeon's deputy first minister under his belt.
If it is experience you want, Swinney is hard to beat, although there are arguably two John Swinneys.
In public he has been a doughty defender of independence, a parliamentary performer not averse to barracking and heckling his political opponents.
In short, tribal. And yet, behind the scenes, he is that rare figure in politics, a man widely regarded by friend and foe alike as decent, kind and honest.
Many senior colleagues in the SNP are urging him to run, hopeful that he can provide both stability and wisdom after 39-year-old Humza Yousaf's brief, and often troubled, tenure.
They include Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, Energy Secretary Mairi McAllan, Health Secretary Neil Gray and Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth.
Swinney, MSP for North Perthshire, is a member of the Church of Scotland and describes himself as a man of deep faith while his most likely rival appears to be Kate Forbes, the former finance secretary who ran Yousaf close in a leadership contest a little over a year ago, also a devout Christian.
During that contest Swinney criticised her for saying she would have voted against gay marriage had she been an MSP in 2014.
"I'm a man of deep Christian faith," he said, "but I do not hold the same views as Kate has set out in the course of the last couple of days".
Read more from James Cook
Health Secretary Neil Gray backs Swinney
Jenni Davidson
BBC Scotland senior politics reporter
Health Secretary Neil Gray is backing John Swinney to be the next leader of the SNP, if the former deputy first minister decides to stand.
Gray says what is needed now is stability, diplomacy and experience.
He says he thinks John Swinney is the man to take the nation forward and he hopes he will stand.
Asked whether he will stand himself, Gray says he couldn’t be any clearer that he thinks John Swinney is the man and he has what is needed right now.
"He has the characteristics, he has the skills and experience that we need," he says.
Swinney still giving leadership bid 'great deal of thought'
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
John Swinney has just said that he's giving a "great deal of thought" to whether to run for SNP leader.
The former deputy first minister said he wanted to ensure it was the right decision for his family, party and country. His potential leadership rival Kate Forbes said something similar a few minutes before.
Asked about his decision to not run for the leadership again last year, John Swinney said "events change" and that it "wouldn't be my style" to ignore the voices telling him to run this time.
Forbes believes she has 'groundswell of support' among SNP members
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
Kate Forbes has said she has a "groundswell of support amongst the party" as she told BBC Scotland News that she's still weighing up whether to run to be the next SNP leader.
Speaking in Holyrood, Forbes said she was considering her options and whether this was the right time for the party, the country and her family.
Greens accuse Labour of 'game playing' over no confidence motion
The Scottish Greens have urged Labour MSPs to stop their "game playing" and drop their planned confidence vote in the Scottish government.
We've reported that Holyrood will debate the no confidence motion tomorrow afternoon.
Labour are likely to lose the vote without the backing of the Greens.
Earlier the Scottish Tories confirmed they had withdrawn their proposed confidence vote in the first minister.
Green MSP Gillian Mackay said Labour's motion had no chance of passing.
What happens if the no confidence motion in the Scottish government passes?
A Labour vote of no confidence in the Scottish government has been scheduled to go ahead tomorrow afternoon, despite Humza Yousaf announcing his resignation yesterday.
If the motion passes, government ministers would be obliged to stand down.
Only a simple majority would be required, meaning the number of members voting in favour of the motion would have to be greater than those opposed.
The Scottish Greens have urged Labour MSPs to stop their “game playing” and drop the vote.
This means the motion will almost certainly be defeated.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Conservatives have dropped their vote of confidence in the first minister.
Who is potential SNP leader Kate Forbes?
Angus Cochrane
BBC Scotland News
In her relatively short political career, Kate Forbes has already experienced the highs and lows of a career at Holyrood.
She enjoyed a rapid rise to become Scotland's first female finance secretary in 2020, but was narrowly defeated in last year's SNP leadership contest by Humza Yousaf.
It is now being speculated that the backbench MSP could make a second bid for her party's top job.
The former minister left the cabinet in March 2023 after being offered the rural affairs brief by Yousaf, which would have been considered a major demotion.
During the SNP leadership campaign, Forbes - a member of the Free Church of Scotland - came under fire for her views on gay marriage, abortion, trans rights and having children outside of marriage.
Another notable feature of Forbes' campaign was her opposition to the SNP's power-sharing deal with the Scottish Greens - the collapse of which led to Yousaf's resignation.
Considered a gifted and intelligent politician, she won the backing of 48% of the SNP membership last time they chose a leader.
The big question remains whether, in the aftermath of a bitter political fight over "progressive" politics, she can get the backing needed in parliament to take her to Bute House.
Read more about Kate Forbes
The view from Holyrood
SNP MSPs have been having their say on the party leadership, with John Swinney and Kate Forbes reported to be considering campaigns.
Former Business Minister Ivan McKee, who briefly served as campaign manager for Forbes during last year's leadership contest, has said she would be an “excellent candidate” and a “fabulous first minister”.
He says she "reaches out to bits of the public that others in the party don’t" and concedes that "frankly at the moment we need all the support we can get".
McKee adds he thinks Forbes would bring "a really fresh perspective, and a new vision for the party and the wider independence movement”.
Former minister Kevin Stewart backed Swinney. “John Swinney has the experience to be an absolutely fantastic first minister and I believe that he can unite the party and bring us forward to our goal of independence,” he told BBC Scotland News.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said party member should look to someone who can “bring the party together” and who has the “diplomacy skills and experience” to run a minority administration.
Christine Grahame did not back any MSP but said there should be a “competition” and not a “coronation”.
“We’ve had one before and it’s not a good idea,” she told BBC Scotland News, referring to Nicola Sturgeon’s unopposed leadership campaign in 2014.
Swinney and Forbes not attending SNP meeting
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
Neither John Swinney or Kate Forbes appear to be in attendance at the weekly meeting of SNP MSPs at Holyrood.
With both weighing up leadership bids, perhaps they’re choosing to spend their time another way today.
Humza Yousaf got a round of applause as he arrived - but he wouldn’t tell me who he wants to succeed him as SNP leader.
Applause for Yousaf at 'business as usual' cabinet meeting
Kirsten Campbell
BBC Scotland political correspondent
The cabinet gathered at Bute House for its usual weekly meeting this morning.
Ministers stood and applauded the outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf as he entered the cabinet room.
He told his colleagues that being first minister had been the greatest honour of his life and he was grateful for the opportunity.
Ministers discussed how minority government would work in practice in the future.
The first minister’s spokesman stressed that government business will proceed as usual, while the SNP chooses its new leader.