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Live Reporting
Edited by Paul McLaren
All times stated are UK
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Swinney’s wife and son take their places
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
I’m in Court 1 at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, waiting for John Swinney to enter.
The incoming first minister’s wife and son are in the front row. There are some Scottish government and SNP figures here too.
The wooden benches aren’t exactly comfortable, but alongside the legal tomes sitting behind the judge’s bench they help to give the occasion the sense of solemnity it merits.
We’re expecting John Swinney to be sworn in in the next 10 minutes or so.
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New cabinet team to be announced after Swinney is officially sworn in
Video content
Video caption: John Swinney gains the nomination of the Scottish Parliament yesterday Within the next half hour, John Swinney will be sworn in as the seventh first minister of Scotlandr.
He is then expected to form his government, with cabinet posts confirmed in parliament on Thursday.
A “significant” role has been promised to former finance secretary Kate Forbes who chose not to run for the SNP leadership and backed Swinney instead.
Overall he was backed by 64 MSPs while seven Green MSPs abstained, guaranteeing him the required majority.
Swinney’s appointment as first minister will be rubber-stamped by the King before he is officially sworn in at the Court of Session.
He has already arrived for the ceremony.
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Swinney arrives at Court of Session
David Wallace Lockhart
Political correspondent
Copyright: PA Media
John Swinney has said it’s an “enormous privilege” to arrive at the Court of Session in preparation for being sworn in as first minister.
Asked if he ever thought he’d be in this position, Swinney said it was a “big surprise”.
The incoming first minister said that many people had been in touch with words of wisdom.
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Good morning
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of John Swinney begin sworn in as Scotland’s new first minster and then his cabinet reshuffle.
It follows his election to the post in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
He’ll then start appointing his new cabinet – with much interest in the portfolio that he’ll give to the former SNP leadership contender, Kate Forbes.
Stick with us for every twist and turn during another seismic day in Scottish politics.
