Former Moray MP Angus Robertson is the bookmakers' favourite to become the next permanent leader of the SNP following Nicola Sturgeon's surprise resignation announcement today.

Mr Robertson who represented the region from 2001-2017 is currently even money, according to the McBookie site.

If he takes charge of the SNP then, almost certainly, he would also become Scotland's next First Minister.

His nearest rival is Kate Forbes, the cabinet secretary for finance, who's currently at 2/1.

Meanwhile, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead is 20-1, according to the same source.

Mr Roberston, who's aged 53, was born to a Scottish father and German mother.

Growing up in Edinburgh, he has been a member of the SNP since 1984.

He joined the party at the age of 15, shortly after being given a leaflet by Charlie Reid of The Proclaimers.

After attending Aberdeen University, where he studied politics and international relations, he worked as a corespondent in Central Europe for the BBC World Service.

Upon his 2001 victory in Moray he became Scotland's youngest MP

Six years later, following Alex Salmond's election as First Minister, he then became the SNP Leader in the House of Commons.

He eventually lost his Moray seat to Douglas Ross in 2017.

However he entered Holyrood as an MSP in 2020 after winning the Edinburgh Central seat.

Nicola Sturgeon appointed him cabinet secretary for the constitution, external affairs and culture in May 2021.

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