Kate Forbes dramatically pulls out of SNP leader race as devout Christian hints John Swinney has offered her a big job despite clash over gay marriage – with ‘Sturgeon apologist’ now on track for a coronation as Scotland’s new First Minister [Video]

09:44 EDT 02 May 2024, updated 09:44 EDT 02 May 2024

Kate Forbes today dramatically pulled out of the SNP leadership race – putting John Swinney on track for a coronation.

Ms Forbes announced that she had decided getting behind the veteran MSP is the ‘best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs’.

Hinting that Mr Swinney had offered her a big job – despite previous clashes over her devout Christian opposition to gay marriage – Ms Forbes said she looked forward to ‘playing my role’. 

Nominations do not close until next Monday, but it looks highly unlikely that any other contender will emerge now. 

Confirming he was standing earlier, Mr Swinney – Nicola Sturgeon’s long-term deputy – extended an olive branch to Ms Forbes as he said he can ‘unite’ the party. 

‘We are not cohesive right now,’ he admitted, warning that there would be ‘tough times’ unless the SNP ‘changes’.  

He said Ms Forbes was a ‘intelligent, creative, …