LEADERSHIP runner-up Kate Forbes claims she is “no quitter” in her first conversation since the SNP leadership election result.
Ms Forbes, who was narrowly defeated by Humza Yousaf in the contest, announced on Tuesday she was leaving the government.
She had been offered a new role by Mr Yousaf that would have given her Mairi Gougeon’s rural affairs job rather than finance, which she rejected.
Speaking on the Holyrood Sources podcast, she revealed details of the campaign, the aftermath and her considerations about the contest.
Ms Forbes said: “I’m not a quitter.
“And I was probably unlikely to ever quit because I believe that when I set my face to do something, I do it, no matter the challenges.
“I’m very happy to pick up where I left it with friends and colleagues last summer.
“That’s always going to be a two-way street so it remains to be seen whether the hand of friendship that I offer is reciprocated.”
Ms Forbes lost to Mr Yousaf by just over 2,000 votes after a fiery five-week contest filled with controversy including the former Finance Secretary’s religious belief.
Ms Forbes previously admitted that, if she’d been an MSP in 2014, she would have voted against gay marriage.
She also confirmed she’d have opposed the gender self-ID bid and would be “loath” to fight a UK Government block on the plan.
She later apologised to anyone offended by her gay marriage remarks.
Ms Forbes told the podcast: “It was a test of how strongly I’m willing to be myself when others are identifying the advantages and the disadvantages inherent in that position.
“And it’s a great question …which has sort of stumped me, in terms of I didn’t feel it a test of my faith at all, funnily enough.”
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