Ex-Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has ruled herself out of running to succeed Humza Yousaf as SNP leader, giving former Deputy First Minister John Swinney a clear run for Bute House.
Forbes, who stood against Yousaf last March, was seen as a potential contender following Monday's resignation announcement.
However, the Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch MSP opted against standing again and instead endorsed Swinney.
She said: “I have concluded that the best way to deliver the urgent change Scotland needs is to join with John Swinney and advocate for that reform agenda within the Scottish Government.
Kate Forbes announced she will not run
GETTY
“I can therefore today announce that I will not be seeking nomination as the next SNP leader.
"John will therefore have my support and endorsement in any campaign to follow.”
Swinney extended an olive branch to Forbes just hours before her statement was released.
The 60-year-old, who informally met with the 34-year-old yesterday, said: "I want Kate Forbes to be part of Team SNP and a very involved senior participant in Team SNP."
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Former Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced he's running to be the next first ministerGETTYDuring his announcement in Edinburgh, Swinney added: “I want to build on the work of the SNP Government to create a modern, diverse, dynamic Scotland that will ensure opportunity for all of her citizens.
“I want to unite the SNP and unite Scotland for independence.”
He also said: "Only the SNP stand where the majority of people want their government to be, in the moderate centre-left of Scottish politics.
“That is where I stand and if elected by my party and buy parliament, my goals as First Minister will come straight from that centre-left tradition.
Forbes endorsed John Swinney
PA"The pursuit of economic growth and social justice.”
Swinney was narrowly more popular than Forbes among SNP voters, a recent Ipsos survey has shown.
The poll found 58 per cent of SNP voters believe the former Deputy First Minister would do a good job succeeding Yousaf.
Less than half of SNP voters (46 per cent) suggested Forbes would perform well as First Minister.
However, the pair were neck-and-neck with the wider electorate.