Forbes plans ‘heavy thinking’ on policy while out of Scottish Government

One of Humza Yousaf’s key allies said the former finance secretary could come back to the Cabinet ‘when the time is right for her’.

Kate Forbes won 48% of the vote in the second round of the leadership election, just behind Humza Yousaf (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Wire)

Former Scottish finance secretary Kate Forbes has said she plans to use her time out of Government to do some “heavy thinking” about policy.

Ms Forbes turned down the rural affairs brief this week offered by First Minister Humza Yousaf after he narrowly defeated her in the SNP leadership race.

The offer was seen by some as an attempt to demote his former leadership rival, but Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said Ms Forbes turned down the job in search of a “better work-life balance”.