John Swinney set to launch campaign to be next SNP leader and FM of Scotland this morning

bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

If two or more candidates stand for SNP leadership, party will hold a ballot between 13 May and 27 May.

All eyes on John Swinney and Kate Forbes in coming hours.

NEW “It’s on me.” In his first interview since announcing his resignation on Monday, Humza Yousaf tells me he was right to end a power-sharing deal with the Greens but the way he did it meant he paid the price with his job. bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s…

SNP leadership... Will it be a coronation or a contest? bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s… via BBC News (UK)

NEW: Former SNP cabinet sec Fergus Ewing has told BBC he expects Kate Forbes will run to be First Minister.

Mr Ewing, an ally of Kate Forbes, said 'the time for Kate has now come'

He added that he sees her as 'less combative' than John Swinney, who he says is 'continuity'

I hear Health Secretary Neil Gray is among those urging Mr Swinney to stand (making unlikely Gray himself goes for it)

He's getting a lot of support among senior SNP figures this afternoon

bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s…

Patrick Harvie tells BBC Greens will back the Scottish Government in confidence later this week

He says only way forward is SNP minority - working with other parties

bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s…

Sounds like John Swinney could stand for SNP leadership… he days giving it careful consideration and will say more in coming days

Wants to speak to family in particular

But warns party must stay in the centre left to be successful

As things stand, Labour still planning to force confidence vote in Scottish Govt (but that could change as week goes on)

bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s…

Humza Yousaf confirms he’s quitting as first minister

Says someone else needs to repair relationships

Claims there was a way through confidence vote, but says he wouldn’t compromise values

bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s…

The SNP has had just four leaders since devolution in 1999.

Humza Yousaf is about to become the shortest serving.

Follow the press conference live here 👇

bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-s…

Senior figures in the SNP are trying to persuade John Swinney to stand this morning.

Some optimistic he will this time to try and repair relationships.

One source: “I think he will probably do it”

Names in the mix this morning include Kate Forbes, Jenny Gilruth and John Swinney

Big day ahead in Scottish politics… Humza Yousaf odds on to have quit by the end of the day

Jockeying in SNP well under way already

Humza Yousaf is considering quitting as Scotland’s first minister, BBC News has been told. bbc.com/news/articles/…

Could Scottish Greens change their minds? Not sounding likely…

Lorna Slater says they’ll vote no confidence: “I cannot imagine anything at this point that could change that position”

Talks of “spectacular” breach of trust and “broken relationship”

What will Salmond’s Alba party do next? Alba MSP Ash Regan could hold THE key vote in Humza Yousaf confidence vote.

Salmond tells Laura K Regan will meet with Yousaf in coming days to discuss demands.

But Alba also meeting today to discuss election plans in case of no deal…

Humza Yousaf rules out pact with Alex Salmond's Alba party bbc.in/3WjxHQW

Poulter will cross the floor to join Labour, he tells me 'the Conservative Party I was elected into valued public services, it had a compassionate view about supporting the more disadvantaged in society... today it is in a very different place' 👇

DEFECTION - Tory MP and former minister, Dr Dan Poulter, is quitting the party and has joined Labour - he tells me Tories no longer values public services he could no longer ‘look people in the eye’ and stay on as a Conservative - more on @bbcnews in a sec