Swinney named new leader of Scotland's SNP

London — Scottish political veteran John Swinney on Monday was named head of the pro-independence SNP party, leaving him poised to become Scotland's leader. Swinney, 60, said on X, formerly Twitter, he was "deeply honored to have been elected as leader of the SNP" after Humza Yousaf resigned last week after little more than a year as Scottish leader and head of the Scottish National Party (SNP). The SNP confirmed Swinney's election after nominations for the post closed at 12 noon (1100 GMT) without any other challengers emerging.