Kate Forbes has defended her leadership campaign message of "continuity not cutting it" after she fell just short in her bid to become SNP leader.
The Finance Secretary was pipped to the post by Humza Yousaf in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
Forbes won 47.9 per cent of votes, when second preferences were included, with Yousaf winning 52.1 per cent.
The Highland MSP endured a rocky start to her campaign last month when she faced repeated questions about her social and religious views.
She lost the backing of some SNP parliamentarians after suggesting she would not have voted for equal marriage if she had been an MSP at the time.
Speaking to reporters at Murrayfield Stadium after the leadership result was announced, Forbes insisted she would not have changed her campaign.
And she said she would support Yousaf in "any way I can" when asked if she would continue in Cabinet.
She said: "I'm really delighted for Humza and wish him all the best. I will certainly be supporting him and backing him - because, at the end of the day, the SNP is a team, we are a family, and there is a lot of work to be getting on with.
On the closeness of the result, Forbes added: "I think it demonstrates the message from the beginning that continuity not cutting it is actually a really critical message.
"All of us need to build on the SNP's excellent track record of 16 years of listening and serving and of maintaining in the trust of the Scottish people."
Asked if she could have won the contest if she had not endured a rocky start to her campaign, she continued: "No, I think it was important that in this contest that there was a real diversity of candidates.
"The members have made their views known. I think in any contest, you need to have space for robust and frank exchange
"Because if you don't, you can't have that battle of ideas which ultimately improves decision-making.
Forbes said it was "up to Humza" when asked if she would continue serving as a Cabinet minister in his new administration.
She added: "Like any other MSP, I look forward to supporting him in any way possible."
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