Joanna Cherry warns Kate Forbes quitting Holyrood is a 'disaster' for the SNP
A former SNP MP has said the decision by Kate Forbes to quit Holyrood is a 'disaster' for her party.
Joanna Cherry said the Deputy First Minister was leaving to spend more time with her young family, but claimed there is 'probably a bit more to it than meets the eye'.
Forbes, one of John Swinney's closest colleagues in Government, surprised political observers with her announcement that she would stand down at the next election.
She lost a bruising leadership contest against Humza Yousaf in 2023 but was still tipped as a potential First Minister.
In a statement, Forbes said she did not want to "miss any more of the precious early years of family life".
Cherry, a fierce critic of Nicola Sturgeon, was asked during an interview at the Edinburgh International festival about the decision.
She told broadcaster Iain Dale that Forbes is the 'hardest working' member of the SNP Cabinet and a person of 'principle' and "integrity".
Cherry added: 'I sent her a text this morning to say how sorry I was that she was leaving but I suspect there is probably a bit more to it than meets the eye.'
She also said: 'I have the utmost respect for her and I think it's a bit of a disaster for the SNP.'
In her resignation statement, the Deputy First Minister also said: "It has been a great honour to serve Highland communities for almost a decade. I am grateful to every voter who re-elected me at the last election with the biggest majority in Scotland.
"As I reflected over recess, I have concluded that I do not wish to seek re-election for another five year term in the Scottish Parliament.
'All politicians face a choice at every election to stay on the same path or not. Quite simply, I've decided on the latter. I remain wholly supportive of the First Minister just as when I backed him to be leader of the SNP and I look forward to campaigning for the SNP at the next election – to lead Scotland to independence.
'I was first elected in my mid-twenties, dedicating my most formative adult years to public service. In that time, I presented multiple Budgets, supported thousands of businesses and workers during Covid-19 and launched Scotland's most ambitious business start up network TechScaler. I now wish to step back from my public duties and focus on new opportunities to serve people.
'I have grown up in the public eye, getting married, having a baby and raising a young family. I have consistently put the public's needs ahead of my family's during that time. I am grateful to them for accommodating the heavy demands of being a political figure. Looking ahead to the future, I do not want to miss any more of the precious early years of family life – which can never be rewound.'
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