John Swinney grabs the poisoned chalice as the former SNP leader is crowned amid warnings over Nationalist 'stitch-up'

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John Swinney yesterday seized control of the SNP after a 'stitch-up' meant he was the only candidate for party leader.

The veteran Nationalist politician is on course to become the third First Minister in just over a year this week after he succeeded Humza Yousaf unopposed.

He was the only nominee after he persuaded former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes to join his team rather than challenge him, in a move billed a 'stitch-up' by opponents.

He also survived a late scare by persuading activist Graeme McCormick not to go ahead with forcing a leadership contest despite securing the support required to stand.

In his victory speech in Glasgow yesterday, he acknowledged the scale of the infighting and crises which have engulfed the SNP and admitted the party has been through a 'rough, tough time'. 

John Swinney yesterday seized control of the SNP after a 'stitch-up' meant he was the only candidate for party leader

Swinney is on course to become the third First Minister in just over a year this week after he succeeded Humza Yousaf (pictured) unopposed

Swinney was the only nominee after he persuaded former Finance Secretary Kate Forbes (pictured) to join his team rather than challenge him

But he claimed that his party has now 'come back together again' under his leadership and 'got our act together'.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: 'It's difficult to see how he can be the fresh start Scotland needs, when he's the ultimate continuity candidate. 

John Swinney was joined at the hip with the disgraced Nicola Sturgeon and his fingerprints are all over her numerous policy failures and cover-ups.

'The stitch-up the SNP have engineered to ensure John Swinney's coronation highlights the mess they're in. 

'Is a failed former leader from two decades ago – who, as education secretary, sent Scotland plummeting down international league tables – really the best they have to offer?

'With John Swinney at the helm, the SNP will double down on their independence obsession – the one issue they agree on – and ignore the real priorities of the Scottish people, such as fixing our ailing public services and growing the economy.'

The SNP confirmed Mr Swinney was the sole candidate when nominations closed at lunchtime yesterday, and MSPs are expected to vote on him becoming First Minister at Holyrood today.

In an acceptance speech at the University of Glasgow, Mr Swinney:

• Promised to 'seek common ground' and strike 'coalitions of the willing' as he prepares to head a minority government; 
• Issued a plea to pro-Union parties to work with him even though he refused to take independence off the table;
• Said that his key policy priority would be to eliminate child poverty;
• Admitted it would be wrong to 'continually' raise taxes but defended the SNP's previous decisions which have made Scotland the highest taxed part of the UK;
• Said that his predecessor in the role, Mr Yousaf, still has 'a significant contribution to make';
• Refused to say if the SNP would repay the £60,000 loan it still owes to its former chief executive Peter Murrell, who was charged in connection with embezzlement of funds from the SNP last month. 

Mr Yousaf's time as First Minister was spent dealing with a long list of crises, including developments in the police probe into the SNP's funding and finances, a series of policy U-turns, disciplinary issues, defections and bitter infighting between factions in his party.

In his speech yesterday, Mr Swinney claimed the speedy leadership process can allow the SNP to 'get back on the front foot'. 

He said: 'Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our party's history – a chapter that will be about coming together, uniting and dedicating ourselves to the service of Scotland.'

A Norstat poll at the weekend showed the SNP is on course to fall to just 15 seats following the general election, and to slide behind Labour at the next Holyrood election.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: 'John Swinney's coronation is entirely about managing the SNP rather than running our country. 

'At a time when Scotland is crying out for change, the SNP is offering more of the same.'

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: 'It's hardly a good look for senior SNP parliamentarians to have to beg a party activist to step aside and allow a coronation because of the expense of a leadership election. 

'John Swinney will now take the top role without any discussion of his preferred policies aside from breaking up the UK.'

Pamela Nash, chief executive of Scotland in Union, said: 'He cares only about independence, and won't care if every other devolved area suffers as a consequence.'

David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: 'We look forward to working with the new ministerial team to ensure the economy is the priority.'

Tracy Black, devolved nations ambassador for business body the CBI, added: 'We need to create a competitive and resilient economy that champions business and delivers opportunity for communities across Scotland.'