SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon promised today to lead Scotland’s pandemic recovery as her party celebrated early wins while counting continues in the Holyrood elections. 

The tallying of votes from Thursday’s elections began today morning, with Labour hoping voters would boost its numbers to overtake the Tories into second place. 

Early indications suggested that Labour was on course to retain its MSP numbers when all votes are counted tonight, although the party lost its key East Lothian marginal seat to the SNP.