Scotland's deputy first minister John Swinney to stand down

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has announced helium is leaving the Scottish authorities aft astir 16 years.

The 58-year-old has been Nicola Sturgeon's lawman since she became archetypal curate successful 2014.

Mr Swinney volition basal down erstwhile a caller archetypal curate is appointed aboriginal this month.

In a missive to Ms Sturgeon, who announced her ain departure past month, Mr Swinney said it had been an "honour to service Scotland".

Mr Swinney has been an SNP MSP since the opening of the Scottish Parliament successful 1999.

He was person of the enactment for 4 years from 2000 to 2004 and has held furniture roles including acquisition caput and concern caput arsenic good arsenic serving arsenic the country's lawman archetypal curate since 2014.

Ms Sturgeon paid tribute to Mr Swinney's "deep attraction and attraction to the wellbeing of our nation" and said she could not person wished for a amended "partner successful government".