Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes to stand down as MSP

Scotland's Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has announced she will stand down at next year's Holyrood election.

In a letter to First Minister John Swinney, the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP said she did not "wish to seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life".

Ms Forbes is expected to remain in her role until the Scottish parliament election, scheduled for May 2026.

Mr Swinney paid tribute to his SNP colleague for her "invaluable contribution to public life over the last 10 years".

Ms Forbes said it had been an "incredible privilege" to serve those in the Highlands since 2016.

She wrote: "I am in no doubt about the scale of my duties as a local representative, an activist and campaigner, and a government minister.

"Quite rightly, this job entails long days far from home, constant attention and total dedication.

"As I consider the upcoming election and the prospects of another term, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election and miss any more of the precious early years of family life."

Ms Forbes said she remains "wholly supportive" of Mr Swinney and will continue to serve her constituents and the public "with diligence".

She added: "I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election, to return you as first minister for another term and lead Scotland to independence."

Ms Forbes first entered Holyrood in 2016 following a stint working for her predecessor, Dave Thompson.

A Cambridge-educated accountant, the newly-minted MSP found herself in ministerial office by the summer of 2018.

She was thrust into the spotlight in 2020 when then finance secretary Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace after messages he had sent to a 16-year-old boy were published by the Scottish Sun on the eve of the Scottish budget.

With just hours to prepare, Ms Forbes was forced to step in and deliver the budget, drawing plaudits from across the chamber, before she was eventually promoted into the role herself.

While Ms Forbes was on maternity leave and caring for her daughter Naomi in 2023, Nicola Sturgeon announced she was stepping down as first minister and SNP leader.

That leadership contest was bruising for the SNP as candidates Ms Forbes, Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan traded blows during lively televised debates.

Ms Forbes faced backlash during her campaign after admitting she would have voted against gay marriage in Scotland when it was made legal more than a decade ago.

The Free Church of Scotland member also told Sky News that having children out of marriage was "wrong" and something she would "seek to avoid".

However, the MSP stressed that "in a free society you can do what you want".

Read more from Sky News:Inside Jeremy Corbyn's new partyClampdown on ads for Channel crossings unveiled

Although her views on social issues were deemed unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues, she was one of the few SNP ministers who did not delete her WhatsApp messages during the COVID pandemic.

Although Ms Forbes lost out to Mr Yousaf in the competition to replace Ms Sturgeon, she would go on to become deputy first minister when he later stepped down and Mr Swinney took charge.

She is also the cabinet secretary for economy and Gaelic.

Responding to Ms Forbes' letter on Monday, Mr Swinney said: "I pay tribute to Kate for her invaluable contribution to public life over the last 10 years.

"The challenges of frontline politics are considerable, and I understand the decision she has made although I wish it was not the case.

"I am pleased that Kate will continue to serve in my government and to make a significant contribution to the work of the Scottish National Party.

"I wish her and her family well and for every happiness for the future."

In recent months, several SNP MSPs have announced plans to stand down next year.

The long list includes former first ministers Ms Sturgeon and Mr Yousaf, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon, Finance Secretary Shona Robison, Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop, and shamed former health secretary Michael Matheson.