Speaking to senior SNP politicians and activists at an event at Glasgow University, Swinney said his decision to stand for the role of leader - after Humza Yousaf announced his intention to step down one week ago - was "not born out of long-held ambition but rather a profound sense of duty to my party and my country".
He said he "made no apology" for the fact he was the only candidate to put himself forward. Last week his most likely rival, Kate Forbes, the former finance secretary who came close to beating Yousaf last year, ruled herself out of the contest and backed Swinney, saying she was persuaded by his pledge to "govern from the mainstream".
A last-minute threat to the coronation was averted late on Sunday when the SNP activist and serial leadership critic Graeme McCormick chose to back Swinney after a "lengthy and fruitful conversation".
Endorsed by senior figures across the party, Swinney told his audience that his amicable talks with Forbes and McCormick had demonstrated "the SNP is coming back together again now".
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