John Swinney voted as Scotland's seventh first minister

John Swinney has been elected as first minister of Scotland.

He was chosen by the Scottish parliament in a vote with a majority of 64 votes to 57.

Swinney became leader of the Scottish National Party over the weekend, following Humza Yousaf's resignation earlier in the week.

Following the vote Swinney said it was "an extraordinary privilege and it is my honour to accept the office of first minister, committing myself to do the best I can for Scotland."

The leader of the government in Scotland is known as the first minister.

They are elected in a vote by the Members of Scottish Parliament (MSPs).

While the UK Government is in charge of defence and immigration for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Scottish Government is in charge of decisions in areas such as education, the environment and transport in Scotland.

John Swinney is the third leader of the Scottish Government in just over a year.

The SNP leader got the most votes by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament to become first minister.

John Swinney's name will now be passed to the King as the parliament's nominee for the role of first minister of Scotland.

On Wednesday he will take part in a formal ceremony where he will be sworn in as the seventh first minister of Scotland.