‘Overwhelming’ moment as new leader is sworn in
JOHN Swinney has described the moment he officially became Scotland’s seventh First Minister as ‘overwhelming’.
The veteran Nationalist politician was yesterday sworn in at the Court of Session after MSPs ratified his appointment on Tuesday.
He succeeded Humza Yousaf without facing a formal challenge after persuading potential rivals to stand aside, in a move described as a ‘stitch-up’ by opponents.
Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord President Lord Carloway, presided over the ceremony yesterday.
Mr Swinney made his statutory declarations and was granted his official title of First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal.
He raised his right hand and bowed his head as Lord Carloway read the
‘Extraordinary opportunity’
three oaths of office – for the role of First Minister, the Keeper of the Great Seal and the oath of allegiance to the King.
The Lord President then addressed the court about the independence of the judiciary.
Mr Swinney was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth Quigley, who has multiple sclerosis, and 13-year-old son Matthew.
In his speech in parliament on Tuesday, he expressed his ‘eternal gratitude’ to his wife for ‘the sacrifices she is prepared to make to enable her husband to serve as First Minister’. His brother David was also by his side in court.
After the ceremony, Mr Swinney said: ‘It’s a really overwhelming moment to take the oath of office in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and formally assume the role of First Minister.
‘I look forward to dedicating my future to serving the people of Scotland. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to change lives for the better and I’ll continue to use every moment that’s available to me to do so.
‘For my family this is a very abrupt change of our circumstances. We didn’t think this would be happening about ten days ago.’
He said they are making plans to adapt and it had been ‘very precious’ to have his family at his side at the swearing in.
Looking ahead to yesterday’s Cabinet reshuffle, Mr Swinney said: ‘It’s important that I have a Cabinet that brings together the strengths and talents of the Scottish National Party, a Cabinet that can work constructively and collaboratively with parliament and with other parties to ensure our agenda can be taken forward.’
The Perthshire North MSP had pledged to devote himself to the job after being voted into the role at Holyrood on Tuesday.
Mr Swinney last week persuaded former finance secretary and leadership candidate Kate Forbes to join his team rather than stand against him, and also saw off a potential challenge from little-known activist Graeme McCormick.
Mr McCormick decided on Sunday not to go ahead with his nomination after talks with Mr Swinney.