SNP leader John Swinney has been re-elected as first minister at the Scottish Parliament.

Leader of all parties represented in Holyrood had a tilt at the top job.

Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton pledged to put the constitutional debate “in the deep freeze,” while Tory Russell Findlay vowed to “get Scotland working” and Green co-leader Gillian Mackay pointed to “pro-indy, pro-Europe, pro-immigration majority.”

Reform’s Malcolm Offord’s slammed an “ideology of impoverishment,” while Labour’s Anas Sarwar made a plea to “take on the politics of fear and blame.”

But after three rounds of voting, it was Mr Swinney who came out on top.

Accepting the role as a “profound honour,” Mr Swinney told MSPs: “Today is very different from the moment that I stood here two years ago to accept office as first minister.

“I stand here today at the start of a new parliament with a resounding personal mandate from the people of Scotland.

“I offered the people of Scotland reliable, trusted and experienced leadership in turbulent times, and today I pledge to provide that to my country.”