THE leader of the SNP at Westminster, Stephen Flynn, has urged John Swinney to run as next leader of the party and ruled himself out of the contest. 

Following Humza Yousaf's resignation announcement, speculation has abounded over who will replace him as next leader of the SNP and first minister of Scotland. 

While there were rumours that Flynn himself could run, his position as an MP and not an MSP would have prevented him from becoming first minister. 

Now, it appears that Flynn has backed party stalwart Swinney for the role. 

READ MORE: Inside the Bute House press conference which saw Humza Yousaf resign

While appearing as a guest on the News Agents podcast, Flynn told hosts Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall that he would be urging Swinney to stand. 

He said: "These are deeply serious times. They're serious times for the public who are struggling with the consequences of the cost of living crisis, who are looking for hope and for aspiration for their future from the government. 

"I think there's only one person who has the experience to do that job. I think there's one person who can unite the party.

"I think there's only one person who can unite the country and have that vision that he can then go on and deliver. 

"And I would like to think that person would be John Swinney. 

The National: John Swinney

"I would certainly encourage him to stand. I hope he is a position to put himself forward and I would certainly hope that colleagues and members would be able to back him if he did". 

Flynn was also asked whether he would be throwing his name in the hat for the next SNP leader. 

"I won't be a candidate for the leadership, no," he said. 

"In any form?" asked Goodall.

"No," replied Flynn. 

Flynn added that whoever takes over cannot be just an interim leader. 

"I firmly believe that the next leader of the party cannot be just an interim position," he said.

"It has to be someone who's willing to take us into the General Election but perhaps just as importantly into the Scottish Parliament election so that they can present a vision for what the SNP can do for Scotland in a compelling way.

"John, in his experience, he's second to none. He was, of course, in charge of Scotland's economy for a very long time. 

"He has all the right connections and relationships with the people who matter, who can create economic growth in Scotland. 

"His experience across all other portfolio areas of government is unmatched. 

READ MORE: Kate Forbes issues statement as Humza Yousaf steps down as SNP leader

"He commands a huge amount of respect and, if I may, we are now a minority government and John Swinney has experience of doing that. 

"And in order to make minority government successful you need someone who can bring everyone together irrespective of their political views and he can do that." 

It comes after another speculated leadership candidate, Jenny Gilruth, also threw her support behind John Swinney. 

On X/Twitter, she said: "John Swinney is the best choice to be Scotland’s First Minister & @theSNP leader.

"I will be strongly supporting him if, as I hope, he chooses to run." 

Earlier in the day Swinney said he is giving “active consideration” to calls for him to become leader.

He told Sky News: "I’m giving very careful consideration to standing to being leader of the SNP. I’ve been somewhat overwhelmed by the requests that have been made of me to do that, with many, many messages from many colleagues across the party.

"So I’m giving that issue very active consideration and it’s likely I’ll have more to say about that in the days to come."