Highlands MSP Kate Forbes has ruled herself out of the race to replace outgoing First Minister Humza Yousaf.
The statement comes after former deputy first minister John Swinney announced his leadership bid in Edinburgh on Thursday morning.
Ms Forbes said she has “weighed the decision whether or not to seek the leadership with great care”.
She added: “Ultimately, 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.
“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 wants Forbes in team
Announcing his leadership bid in Edinburgh, Mr Swinney offered an olive branch to Ms Forbes, saying he wanted her to play a “significant part” in his team.
“She is an intelligent, creative, thoughtful person who has much to contribute to our national life”, Mr Swinney said.
“If elected, I will make sure Kate is able to make that contribution.”
It follows days of speculation at Holyrood after the pair indicated they were “actively considering” putting themselves forward.
Mr Yousaf resigned on Monday after his decision to ditch the Scottish Greens from government lost their confidence in him to govern.
Mr Swinney has already been backed by senior figures including Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and most of the Scottish cabinet.
This led to allegations of the process being a “stitch up” against Ms Forbes.
A source close to the Highlands MSP, speaking on Thursday morning, said she was “still weighing everything up”.
But a statement from Ms Forbes released on Thursday afternoon confirmed she would not stand in the race.
In it, she detailed the “frank and constructive” discussions she shared with Mr Swinney and that “what emerged was that we share a powerful common purpose for the country”.
Ms Forbes continued: “That includes a passion to revitalise our party, reach out to those who feel disempowered and reinvigorate the independence movement.
“It also includes an understanding that economic growth and tackling poverty must again be key priorities, and that a just transition to ‘net zero’ must work with, and not against, our communities and businesses.
“But more than that, John is clear that he is determined to return the SNP to governing from the mainstream. Competent, candid government earning the trust of the people.”
‘Stitch up’
Mr Swinney became the only likely candidate for SNP leader and first minister after Ms Forbes decided not to put herself forward.
In his wider pitch, he said: “I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader.
“I am offering to lead my party through the Westminster elections and to lead us beyond the 2026 elections – two contests which I intend to win for the SNP and for Scotland.
“My message is crisp and simple – I am stepping forward to bring the SNP together, deliver economic growth and social justice, to deliver the very best future for everyone in a modern, dynamic, diverse Scotland.”
But Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Kate Forbes has caved into SNP demands for a stitch-up to install John Swinney as leader and spare the party the bloodbath of another leadership contest.
“But this shady backroom deal won’t cover-up the bitter splits that exist within the SNP – it just applies a sticking plaster to a gaping wound.”
SNP MSP Ivan McKee, who backed Ms Forbes, said on Wednesday that putting Mr Swinney in post would be “eerily reminiscent” of choosing Mr Yousaf last year.
“And we all know how well that turned out”, he told the Daily Record.
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