Politics latest: Ex-SNP leader ‘headed to coronation’ as potential rival withdraws from race | Political news

As we just reported, a statement from Kate Forbes on the race to succeed Humza Yousaf as First Minister of Scotland is expected soon.

She lost to Mr Yousaf in the SNP leadership contest last year and has already told Sky News she is considering re-entering the race following Mr Yousaf’s resignation.

The former Chancellor of the Exchequer faced a backlash during her campaign last year after admitting she would have voted against same-sex marriage in Scotland when it was made legal a decade ago.

The Free Church of Scotland member also told Sky News that having children out of wedlock was “wrong” and something she would “try to avoid”.

However, the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch stressed that “in a free society you can do whatever you want”.

Ms Forbes had argued that “continuity is not enough”.

After losing to Mr Yousaf by 48% to 52%, she said: “If we want to continue winning elections, we must continue to listen and maintain trust.”

Ms Forbes turned down the role of Minister for Rural Affairs, which was seen as a demotion at the time.

Although her views on social issues remain unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues, she was one of the few SNP ministers not to delete her WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.

Ms Forbes would face resistance from the Scottish Greens, who have previously ruled out working with her.

SNP peer Fergus Ewing is backing Ms Forbes, saying she is “head and shoulders” above any other potential candidate.