Swinney faces FMQs as ex-minister to be suspended and election is called

The SNP leader, who only succeeded Yousaf earlier this month, said he was “delighted” to lead his party into the vote.

John Swinney is answering FMQs as former health secretary Michael Matheson is to be suspended from Parliament for 27 days.

The SNP MSP was found to have breached the code of conduct for MSPs by attempting to use expenses and office costs to cover a near-£11,000 data roaming bill racked up on a parliamentary device.

It comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a surprise summer election on Wednesday evening.

The UK-wide ballot will be held on July 4.

Swinney said it will be an opportunity to “remove” the Tories from Government.

The SNP leader, who only succeeded Yousaf earlier this month, said he was “delighted” to lead his party into the vote.

Polls suggest the SNP could lose seats to Labour in Scotland, while the Tories may also lose seats to Keir Starmer’s party in England.

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