Race to find Sturgeon's replacement heats up as SNP politician linked to controversial church announces bid
The leadership competition is heating up after Nicola Sturgeon resigned last week
Jane Barlow
Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has announced that she will run for the SNP leadership but her controversial views on some social issues could stall her bid.
Forbes - the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch - promised a "competent leadership to deliver independence" at the heart of her pitch.
She stepped in to deliver the Scottish budget in 2020 after her predecessor Derek Mackay resigned for pestering a 16 year old boy with messages.
The 32-year-old, who was on maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter Naomi in August said: "The nation and the Yes movement are at a major crossroads.
Kate Forbes has announced she will be running for the SNP leadership
Jane Barlow
"The choices we make in the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and our children's future.
"I cannot sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination.
"Our small, independent neighbours enjoy wealthier, fairer, and greener societies - and so can we.
"We need somebody who voters can trust, who has integrity and commitment.
"I am that leader - and I want to lead the party into better days."
Forbes is also a member of the Free Church of Scotland, which takes a strongly conservative position on women’s reproductive rights and same-sex marriage.
Some critics have said she could be at odds with the wider party on some social issues, including the gender reforms blocked by the UK government.
She has previously brushed off questions about whether her faith conflicts with SNP policies – such as establishing buffer zones around abortion clinics – by saying she stands by collective responsibility.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has already announced his leadership bid
Andrew Milligan
Talking about her beliefs, she said: “I make my own decisions on the basis of what decision is right and wrong, according to my faith, not according to the diktat of any church.”
Forbes is the third to announce a bid for leadership following Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former minister Ash Regan.
Constitution secretary, Angus Robertson has excluded himself from the race.
He tweeted: "As the father of two very young children the time is not right for me and my family to take on such a huge commitment."