Swinney sworn in as Scotland’s First Minister in ‘overwhelming’ ceremony
The Perthshire North MSP also vowed to stick to his pledge to offer a key Cabinet role to Kate Forbes.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Being sworn in as Scotland’s new First Minister was an “overwhelming moment”, John Swinney has said, as he vowed to stick to his pledge to give Kate Forbes a “significant role” in his team as he appoints his Cabinet.
Scotland’s most senior judge, Lord President Lord Carloway, presided over the ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday morning where Mr Swinney made his statutory declarations and was granted his official title of First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal.
Mr Swinney raised his right hand and bowed his head as Lord Carloway read the three oaths of office – for the role of First Minister, the Keeper of the Great Seal and the oath of allegiance to the King.
The Lord President then addressed the court about the independence of the judiciary.
Mr Swinney’s family, including his wife Elizabeth, brother David and 13-year-old son Matthew, accompanied him to court.
Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Mr Swinney said taking the oaths had been an “overwhelming moment” and he spoke of his pride at being First Minister and his family’s support.
“It’s a really overwhelming moment to take the oath of office in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and formally assume the role of First Minister,” he said.
“I look forward to dedicating my future to serving the people of Scotland.
“It’s an extraordinary opportunity to change lives for the better and I’ll continue to use every moment that’s available to me to do so.
“For my family this is a very abrupt change of our circumstances. We didn’t think this would happening about 10 days ago.”
He said they are making plans to adapt and it had been “very precious” to have his family at his side at the swearing in.
Asked about former finance secretary Ms Forbes – who announced she would not run against him for the SNP leadership after a discussion with him – and whether she will have a role in his Cabinet, Mr Swinney referred to his speech last week where he said he wanted her to have a “significant role” to play in his team.
He added: “I’m a man of my word.”
Mr Swinney said: “It’s important that I have a Cabinet that brings together the strengths and talents of the Scottish National Party, a Cabinet that can work constructively and collaboratively with Parliament and with other parties to ensure our agenda can be taken forward.”
The Perthshire North MSP had pledged to devote himself to the job after being voted into the role at Holyrood on Tuesday, and he becomes the seventh person to be First Minister since the Scottish Parliament was established 25 years ago.
It came following an unopposed SNP selection process a week after predecessor Humza Yousaf resigned.