Kate Forbes to leave Scottish Government after turning down cabinet post

Kate Forbes is set to leave the Scottish Government after turning down a position in Humza Yousaf’s cabinet.

It is understood the current finance secretary was offered the rural affairs portfolio but chose instead to return to the backbenches.

Forbes was narrowly beaten by Yousaf in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister.

MSPs today nominated Yousaf as the next first minister.

Shona Robison will serve as his deputy first minister.

Yousaf will be formally sworn in as first minister at a ceremony at Edinburgh’s Court of Session tomorrow morning.

Forbes, 32, is still officially on maternity leave but had been serving as Scottish Government finance secretary.

In the final result on Monday, Yousaf won 26,032 votes (52.1 per cent) to Forbes' 23,890 (47.9 per cent).

Responding to her defeat to Yousaf on Monday, Forbes said: “Whatever the robust disagreements or frank exchanges of the last few weeks, I am confident we will unite behind Humza as our new party leader in the shared and common objective of independence.

“Uniformity is not unity – we can debate and disagree well, and then work together. To end poverty. To speak up for the marginalised. To create better jobs. To serve our people.

“I wish Humza well as he does just that.”