SNP civil war escalates as Kate Forbes hints she WILL run for the leadership ... trends now
The SNP civil war escalated today as Kate Forbes gave her strongest hint yet that she will run for the leadership.
Senior figures have been lining up behind veteran John Swinney after the dramatic implosion of Humza Yousaf.
However, Ms Forbes, who came a close second to the outgoing First Minister a year ago, confirmed she is seriously considering standing. She insisted there is a 'groundswell of support' for her in the party.
Allies of Ms Forbes have branded Mr Swinney a 'Sturgeon apologist' and 'continuity' option.
The two politicians clashed bitterly during the last campaign, when Mr Swinney said the devout Christian was not an 'appropriate' person to be leader due to her opposition to gay marriage.
More immediately, Labour has confirmed that it will push a confidence vote in the Scottish government tomorrow - although after the departure of Mr Yousaf yesterday it looks unlikely to succeed.
A tearful Mr Yousaf fell on his sword after an extraordinary meltdown triggered by his decision to ditch the coalition with the Greens.
The power play backfired disastrously as the junior party vowed to support a no-confidence motion - leaving the SNP chief facing defeat that might have triggered a snap election.
A poll has suggested Keir Starmer has been the big winner from the chaos engulfing the SNP, with Labour leapfrogging the separatists on Westminster voting intention.
The YouGov research indicated that even before the latest events, Sir Keir was on course to reap 28 MPs in Scotland - boosting his hopes of an overall majority.
Senior figures have been lining up behind veteran John Swinney (right) after the dramatic implosion of the outgoing First Minister. But Kate Forbes (left) also looks to be a contender
A tearful Humza Yousaf (pictured at Holyrood today) announced his departure yesterday after an extraordinary meltdown triggered by his decision to ditch the coalition with the Greens
Ms Forbes was quizzed by the media as she arrived at Holyrood today
A poll has suggested Keir Starmer has been the big winner from the chaos engulfing the SNP, with Labour leapfrogging the separatists on Westminster voting intention
Nominations are now open for the leadership, and will close next Monday.
Prospective candidates will have to gain the support of 100 members from 20 different SNP branches to qualify for the contest.
Neither Mr Swinney - who served as deputy to Nicola Sturgeon - nor Ms Forbes have confirmed they are standing, but they look to be the only contenders in the frame.
At Holyrood this afternoon, Ms Forbes she would consider what is best for 'the party, the country and my family'.
'It's still early days. We'll obviously be considering things over the next few hours and so on – nobody's declared yet, so I think we do still have a bit of time,' she said.
Asked if she was tempted to run, she said: 'I think for me it's clear I have a groundswell of support amongst the party.
'That was clear from the last contest and clearly we need to weigh up what is in the best interests of the party, the country and my family.
'It's what I've said quite consistently over the last year that if I were to run, those would be the conditions.'
Pete Wishart, the
