John Swinney backs Humza Yousaf to replace Nicola Sturgeon as next First Minister

dailyrecord.co.uk:

John Swinney has backed Humza Yousaf to replace Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland's next first minister.The outgoing Deputy First Minister said the current Scottish Health Secretary was the candidate who could "strengthen the SNP as a force for progressive change in Scottish politics".Mr Swinney is the most senior politician to have publicly endorsed one of the three candidates running to be the next SNP leader - with Mr Yousaf hailing it as a "massive boost" for his campaign.The Health Secretary said: "I am honoured to have the backing of a true giant of the SNP and independence movement, John Swinney, to become SNP leader."Mr Swinney, who is Scotland's longest serving Deputy First Minister, is stepping down after more than eight years in the post and will leave office later this month when Ms Sturgeon steps down.She has already made clear she will not publicly back any of the three contestants seeking to replace her.Two other candidates are also running in the contest, with both Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and former community safety minister Ash Regan having put themselves forward for the job.Endorsing his cabinet colleague Mr Yousaf, Mr Swinney spoke about how he was "proud" of what the SNP has achieved since coming into power in 2007, adding this was "transforming the lives of people in Scotland".He added: "As a party we have never been closer to winning independence."We now need to choose an SNP leader who will complete our journey to independence, and I believe that person should be Humza Yousaf."Humza is best placed to lead our party because he will strengthen the SNP as a force for progressive change in Scottish politics."With Mr Yousaf having backed reforms to the gender recognition process - and also