Sturgeon's criticisms of Swinney reveal tensions in SNP ranks

He was her loyal deputy for almost a decade - a trusted ally through the highs and lows of Nicola Sturgeon's tenure as first minister.

From her fallout with Alex Salmond to the Covid pandemic and gender self-ID, John Swinney was right there next to her.

Even in the wake of Peter Murrell's conviction for embezzlement of SNP funds, he resisted criticising Sturgeon's oversight of the party's governance during her time as leader.

In fact, Swinney's support has been so steadfast, Sturgeon once described him as the most important person in her life outside of her family.

It therefore came as something of a surprise when the former first minister chose to criticise the current first minister in the new foreword to her autobiography.

Historic win for SNP but change and challenges ahead at Holyrood

Giving her views on the recent Holyrood election, Sturgeon wrote there was "a lack of vision or big picture thinking" when it came the SNP's campaign.

She went on to say that while the outcome was "an outstanding result" for the party after 19 years in government, there were lessons to be learned.