This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c70xejr8drro
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Kate Forbes: Deputy first minister to stand down as MSP | Kate Forbes: Deputy first minister to stand down as MSP |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Kate Forbes says she remains "wholly supportive" of the first minister | |
| Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will stand down at next year's Holyrood election. | Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes will stand down at next year's Holyrood election. |
| The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP said she did not want to "seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life". | The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP said she did not want to "seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life". |
| She will continue as an MSP for another nine months, with the Holyrood election scheduled for May 2026. | |
| First Minister John Swinney said Forbes had made an "invaluable contribution to public life" over the past 10 years. | |
| First elected in 2016, Forbes enjoyed a rapid rise to become Scotland's first female finance secretary in 2020, but was narrowly defeated in the 2023 SNP leadership contest by Humza Yousaf. | |
| 'Total dedication' | |
| In a letter to Swinney, the Highlands MSP said: "I am in no doubt about the scale of my duties as a local representative, an activist and campaigner, and a government minister. | |
| "Quite rightly this job entails long days far from home, constant attention and total dedication." | |
| The deputy first minister, who took time away from politics to have her daughter Naomi in 2022, wrote : "As I consider the upcoming election and the prospects of another term, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life." | |
| She said she remained "wholly supportive" of the first minister and would continue to serve her constituents "with diligence". | |
| The deputy first minister added: "I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election, to return you as first minister for another term and lead Scotland to independence." | |
| In response, Swinney paid tribute to Forbes. | |
| He posted on X: "The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made although I wish it was not the case. | |
| "I am pleased that Kate will continue to serve in my government and to make a significant contribution to the work of the Scottish National Party. | |
| "I wish her and her family well and for every happiness for the future." |