The deputy first minister says he has to do what is right for his family, the party and the country.
He had been tipped for a return to the top job and admitted he had "thought carefully about whether I should stand".he said he had instead decided to "create the space for a fresh perspective to emerge".
"From a very poor starting point in the 1980s, I am proud to have played my part in building the SNP into a successful party of government in Scotland with an impressive electoral record. "To create the space for that fresh perspective to emerge, I have decided not to be a candidate for leadership in the SNP. At this critical moment, I believe there must be an open debate within the SNP about our direction."John Swinney, pictured with SNP colleagues in 1999, says he has spent almost 40 years "at the heart of the SNP"
Nominations for the post of SNP leader have already opened and will close at noon on Friday 24 February.Possible contenders include:Angus Robertson
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