by Bill Heaney
SNP leader John Swinney was elected to be First Minister of Scotland in the Scottish Parliament today.
Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: “On behalf of the General Assembly, I warmly congratulate John Swinney MSP on his election as First Minister of Scotland.
“I was pleased to greet him when he visited the General Assembly on Saturday, and he goes forth in the service of the people of Scotland with our good wishes and heartfelt prayers.
“The Church is looking forward to engaging constructively with the First Minister and his new government as part of our shared hope that the common good can be grounded in the words engraved on the mace in the Scottish Parliament – integrity, compassion, justice, and wisdom.”
Dumbarton Dermocrat picture shows First Minister John Swinney with Rt Rev Gordon Kennedy, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.