SNP activist Graeme McCormick denies he was 'leant on' to quit leadership race and smooth John Swinney coronation

A maverick SNP activist has denied he was "leant on" by senior Nationalists to quit the leadership race and ensure a coronation for John Swinney.

Graeme McCormick insisted he had enough signatures from rank-and-file party members before Monday's noon deadline to trigger a formal contest.

But the retired lawyer claimed he changed his mind at the weekend after a sit-down with the First Minister-elect lasting "over an hour".

That decision paved the way for Swinney to be named the new SNP leader on Monday without facing any opposition.

Senior party members had been desperate to avoid a repeat of the bitter 2023 leadership contest between Humza Yousaf, Kate Forbes and Ash Regan.

But McCormick's decision to step aside angered some pro-independence activists, who wanted Swinney to be challenged on his long record as a government minister.

In a statement published on the Yours for Scotland blog, McCormick said: "I was not leant on by any party persons who sought to stop my nomination.

"I did receive some emails from members whom I had approached to support me who responded that they couldn’t.

"One senior party figure phoned me on Saturday morning to suggest I should withdraw and during that discussion it was agreed that I speak to John, (who) then phoned me later in the day. He then invited me to a meeting with him on Sunday afternoon.

"We spoke for over an hour. He was very generous with his time.

"As the conversation developed there was a remarkable level of agreement on many thorny points. The action required was explored and I expect that action will be substantial.

"John volunteered to give me a private note of his response to the issues which I highlighted in my pitch to stand for the Leadership.

"Short time will tell whether the terms of that note bear fruit.

"It’s remarkable the number of folk who were once in the SNP who have showered me with advice. I appreciate that advice but I do remind them that they could have been more effective if they had retained their voice and vote in the SNP."

McCormick stood against Mike Russell to become party president in 2023, losing by 599 votes to 79.

In a speech at the party conference last year he described the SNP government as being like “flatulence in a trance.”

Swinney is expected to be voted in as First Minister later today.

To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here