Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy John Swinney will step down along with her at the end of the month.
The veteran politician has served as deputy first minister of Scotland since 2014.
He said it had been the privilege of his life.
Writing to the First Minister, Swinney said: “These have been demanding commitments to fulfil over nearly 16 years and I have decided that, when the First Minister is appointed later in March, I will stand down from Government.
“When I joined the Scottish National Party at the age of 15 in 1979, our political prospects were poor and I could scarcely have imagined that over so many years I would have the opportunity to serve Scotland in government in the way I have.”
The 58-year-old was the leader of the SNP from 2000 to 2004 and latterly took on roles as education secretary and finance secretary in the Scottish Government’s SNP Cabinet.
Swinney joined the SNP in 1979, at 15 years old. In 1997, he was elected as MP for North Tayside.
He first became the party’s deputy leader the following year and then when the Scottish Parliament was founded in 1999, he was elected as an MSP.
He became leader of the opposition in 2000.
On February 15, Sturgeon announced she would resign as First Minister of Scotland after eight years in the role.
The SNP will choose a new leader on March 27 with three candidates vying for the position.
More to follow…
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