I wish my mum had been alive to see me become the First Minister

Swinney reveals he's missed chatting with mother about job

- ANDREW QUINN

JOHN Swinney has admitted he wishes his mum had been alive long enough to see him become First Minister.

The SNP leader said speaking to Agnes Swinney, known as Nancy, about his job is the one conversation he'd have liked to have had this year.

Nancy died at the beginning of the Covid lockdown in 2020, when her son was Nicola Sturgeon's deputy.

When asked by the Big Issue which conversation he wished he could have had in 2024, Swinney said: "I wish my mum had still been alive to see me become First Minister and to chat about what it is like."

Swinney was sworn in as First Minister in May, taking over from Humza Yousaf.