Kate Forbes has been appointed deputy first minister of Scotland as John Swinney begins selecting his cabinet.

Mr Swinney was legally sworn in as Scotland’s seventh first minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh earlier on Wednesday.

Mr Swinney pledged that Ms Forbes – who chose not to run in the SNP leadership race – would play a “significant part” in his government.

Ms Forbes, who served as finance secretary under Nicola Sturgeon, replaces Shona Robison as second in command.

Ms Robison, who was also finance secretary under Humza Yousaf, will remain in cabinet, with her role expected to be announced soon.

Mr Swinney said he was pleased to appoint Ms Forbes as his deputy, describing her as an “immensely talented politician”.

Ms Forbes, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber, and Badenoch, said: “I am deeply honoured to accept John’s invitation to be his deputy first minister.

“This is a moment of extraordinary privilege for me. Having previously served in cabinet, I know the duty that all ministers have to reflect the government’s priorities and the missions that drive them.

“I look forward to working with John and cabinet colleagues, delivering for the people of Scotland and building a better country.”

Ms Forbes faced backlash over her religious beliefs during her leadership campaign to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.

She went on to narrowly lose to Mr Yousaf.

Although her views on social issues remain unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues, she was one of the few SNP ministers who did not delete her WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Read more:
Who is John Swinney?

Mr Swinney has vowed to focus on the economy, jobs, the cost of living, the NHS, education, public services, and the climate crisis.

Mr Swinney has confirmed he has no intention of reinstating the power-sharing Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens and will instead take issues on a case-by-case basis with a minority administration of 63 MSPs.

He told opposition parties at the Scottish parliament: “If we want to fund our schools and hospitals, if we want to give our businesses a competitive edge, if we want to take climate action, if we want to eradicate child poverty, if we want to change people’s lives for the better, we have got to work together to do so.”

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

This news story is being updated and more details will be published as further cabinet appointments are announced.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Related posts:

UK ‘absolutely not’ trying to provoke EU row – but bloc hints legal action ‘very soon’ over border issues Boris Johnson narrowly avoids Conservative rebellion over foreign aid budget cuts Sixteen candidates to contest Batley and Spen by-election Govt ignores pleas of former Tory ministers and will end £20 a week benefits uplift Trains, planes and buses can have their own face mask rules after 19 July, transport secretary says Invasion of Ukraine turning into ‘perilous misadventure’ for Putin, Raab says Hancock told ministers to ‘get heavy with police’ to enforce lockdown, leaked messages suggest MP who harassed assistant and racially abused journalist should be suspended – expert panel Ryan Reynolds wants more film work to ‘head to Wales’ after PM meeting Sunak’s mobile phone number published online, claims report Ofsted seen as ‘not fit for purpose’ and schools should self-evaluate instead, inquiry says Former Post Office chairman ‘investigated over bullying claims before dismissal’