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In the running is a rebel aiming to unite independence parties, a Sturgeon ally with a decade of ministerial experience and a divisive trailblazer.

In a statement made at the end of First Minister's Questions, Ms Sturgeon thanked Scots for "placing your trust in me".

With just days left in the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, Ipsos Scotland released a survey of 1,023 Scots carried out between March 17 and 21.