John Swinney defends immigration as Scotland faces rise of Reform

Exclusive: First minister mounts robust defence of diversity as SNP prepares campaign for Holyrood election in May

Scotland needs immigration to bolster the size of its working-age population, the country's first minister has said, mounting a forceful defence of diversity in the face of rising support for Reform ahead of next May's Holyrood elections.

John Swinney was speaking at the end of a year marked by a significant shift in Scottish public sentiment, with Nigel Farage's party securing 26% of the vote in its first Holyrood byelection test.