New SNP leader John Swinney has promised a "new chapter" as he admitted his party has been through a "rough time recently".

Mr Swinney has replaced Humza Yousaf and could become Scotland's seventh first minister as early as Tuesday. The SNP leadership nominations closed at 12pm on Monday, with the party confirming Mr Swinney was the sole nominee.

Mr Swinney, who was SNP leader between 2000 and 2004, said he was "deeply honoured" to take on the role and his appointment was "the beginning of a new chapter" for the party. While he said the SNP has "faced a rough time recently as a party.