John Swinney to announce bid to be first minister

Mr Swinney, who spent 16 years in senior roles in the Scottish government until last year, has already won the backing of many party colleagues.

Former finance secretary Ms Forbes, who will not attend Mr Swinney's launch event in Edinburgh, said she was “still weighing up her options”.

The two were confirmed to have met on Tuesday, promoting speculation that a deal may be done to avoid a leadership contest.

Mr Swinney, 60, is to hold a news conference in the Grassmarket at 10:30, at which he is expected to confirm his bid to take over from Mr Yousaf.

Ms Forbes had been due at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament's Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on Thursday morning, but did not attend.

Mr Yousaf announced his resignation on Monday, though he will remain in post until his successor is elected.

So far, only Mr Swinney and Ms Forbes have indicated they are considering running to lead their party and seek election as first minister.

If a run-off between them does take place, a ballot of SNP members will be required. Party officials have confirmed nominations will close on Monday. Any contest would end on 27 May.

Mr Swinney, who served as Nicola Sturgeon's deputy for almost nine years, announced late on Wednesday that he was preparing to make a statement on speculation he would run for the leadership.

The Perthshire North MSP was also SNP leader between 2000 and 2004, standing down after a poor showing at the European elections.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, he said he was giving the idea of running for the leadership "a great deal of thought".

Senior party members, including Westminster leader Stephen Flynn, health secretary Neil Gray and education secretary Jenny Gilruth, have already said they would support Mr Swinney if he decides to stand for election.

Ms Forbes, 34, will make an announcement on a decision on a leadership bid at an unspecified time on Thursday.

The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP narrowly lost to Mr Yousaf in the SNP leadership election last year.

She was criticised during the campaign for revealing she would have voted against gay marriage legislation had she been an MSP at the time due to her religious beliefs as a member of the Free Church of Scotland.

At the time, Mr Swinney, also a Christian, questioned whether it would be "appropriate" for someone with such views to become SNP leader.

Several senior party members have backed Ms Forbes, including those regularly at odds with the SNP leadership such as Joanna Cherry and Fergus Ewing.

Speaking to BBC Scotland on Wednesday, Mr Ewing urged Mr Swinney to retract his previous comments.

Timetable for change

Nominations for the SNP leadership opened on Monday and close at noon one week later.

If more than one candidate receives 100 nominations from at least 20 local party branches, a ballot will be held among members to choose a new leader.

Mr Yousaf has said he will resign as first minister once a new leader is chosen. At that point, parliament will have 28 days to nominate a new first minister to be appointed by the King.

If MSPs cannot reach an agreement after 28 days, a snap election would be called.

-bbc