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This will be the second time that John Swinney has led the SNP.

His election marks a remarkable turnaround, 20 years after he stood down from a difficult period in the top seat.

For many in the SNP - particularly those who have been in the movement for a long time - John Swinney embodies what they think of as core SNP values.

They see him as trustworthy, hard-working and loyal. He is a favourite at the party conference and his admirers recognise in him a burning desire for independence.

Edinburgh born and bred, the 60-year-old has something of the traditional Scottish banker about him, and spent five years working for Scottish Amicable Life Assurance before winning the Tayside North seat at Westminster in 1997.

But by then he was already a party veteran, having joined in 1979 aged just 15.

Read more here.

John Swinney has been elected unopposed as the SNP’s new leader and is set to become the next Scottish first minister.

The SNP has confirmed that he was the sole candidate to take over from Humza Yousaf, who announced his resignation last week.

Nominations have closed in the race to decide the next leader of the SNP.

Midday was the deadline for candidates who have secured the necessary 100 nominations from at least 20 local SNP branches to put themselves forward.

If no other candidate meets the deadline, John Swinney will be declared the party’s new leader - paving the way for him to become first minister as soon as this week.

Stay with us as we bring you the latest developments.

Image source, PA

There's not long to go now in the race to be the SNP's next leader, with nominations for the leadership closing at midday.

All the indications are John Swinney will be elected unopposed.

The SNP's deputy leader, Keith Brown, told the Good Morning Scotland programme the lack of a challenger "does augur well for John Swinney's ability to engage with all parts of the party".

He added that Swinney would also need to engage across the political spectrum, as he would be leading a minority government.

Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney is poised to become the new leader of the SNP, after a potential challenger withdrew his bid at the 11th hour.

Last night veteran SNP activist Graeme McCormick announced that although he had the support to go ahead with his nomination, he’d decided not to proceed.

Nominations close at midday. Prof Nicola McEwan of the University of Glasgow told the Good Morning Scotland programme that the party is hoping no last minute challengers to Swinney emerge.

"If we get to midday and there are no other people putting themselves forward, I think that the SNP headquarters will be breathing a sigh of relief."

The SNP does not want a leadership contest to succeed Humza Yousaf, she said.

Prof McEwan added: "I expect some conversations were had.

"There was a piece in the National that seemed to suggest that Mr McCormick's concerns were not about the leadership election at all, but about the party's path to independence."

Here's a quick reminder of how all this works.

Leadership candidates are required to get 100 nominations from at least 20 local SNP branches before standing in the race.

Nominations close in about half an hour, at midday, and so far it looks very much like a one horse race - with John Swinney running unopposed.

Image source, PA

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the race to be SNP leader.

By noon today we'll know if John Swinney has won unopposed.

We're not expecting anyone else to throw their hat into the ring, but they have until noon to do so.