Achi news desk-
If the retired conveyancing solicitor had put his name forward he would have delayed Mr Swinney’s move to Bute House until the end of the month.
However, with a contest now looking unlikely the Perthshire North MLA will be sworn in this week.
READ MORE: A veteran campaigner in a bid to challenge John Swinney for the leadership of the SNP
When asked on Sky TV about a challenge, Mr Swinney said he thought it would be better if there was no competition so he could set about reviving the SNP.
“Frankly I’d like to get on with that as quickly as I can. Every day we spend on an infighting that I think we all probably know the outcome of, we are delaying the SNP’s ability to start rebuilding it,” he said.
He later told the BBC: “Obviously the party has an internal democracy that it has to go through, and nominations close at noon tomorrow, we will find out then if there are more candidates than me competing in the election to be the next leader of the SNP. .
“But of course it is the democratic right of party members to come forward, there are thresholds of support they must pass, and if that is the case we will have a contest… and I think the overwhelming majority of members the party wants us to get on with it.”
But he added: “If that’s what the party wants, then that’s what we all have.”
According to Mr McCormick’s statement, the two men spoke sometime on Sunday, and he was persuaded not to enter the race.
He said: “I am referring to my nomination to be Leader of the SNP and I would like to thank everyone from all over the country who supports me. We reached the thresholds set by the Party rules.
“I would also like to record my thanks to John Swinney MSP with whom I had a long and fruitful conversation.
“John and I agreed on the challenges facing the SNP, our Government and our people, and he explored new ideas on a range of issues which I am confident will, as they develop, inspire activists within the SNP and the wider Independence Movement in the following weeks and months.
“This is a new beginning for our members and our politicians, and I’m sure that John’s determination to achieve Independence will be rewarded in the upcoming General Election.
“I have therefore come to the conclusion that I will not proceed with my nomination for Party Leader but instead support the nomination of John Swinney for Party Leader and First Minister of Scotland.”
READ MORE: Graeme McCormick: SNP member running to challenge John Swinney
Mr McCormick came under considerable pressure on Sunday, with a number of other members urging him not to stand. Some high-profile party figures even questioned his motives.
As well as allowing the SNP to move forward, Mr McCormick’s decision will save huge costs for the cash-strapped party in a general election year.
Last year’s competition is said to have cost around £180,000.
Mr McCormick is well known in SNP circles and is a regular speaker at the party conference.
Last year he hit the headlines after trashing Humza Yousaf’s independence strategy, describing it as “flatulence in a trance”.
