Kate Forbes’ campaign team has denied she apologised to SNP rival Humza Yousaf for tearing strips off him during a TV debate.
A spokesperson for the leadership candidate said claims she said sorry were “absolute nonsense”.
Forbes, the Finance Secretary, is up against Yousaf and Ash Regan in the race to be the next SNP leader and First Minister.
The contest turned ugly last week when Forbes launched an attack on Yousaf’s record in Government during an STV debate.
"You were a transport minister and the trains were never on time, when you were justice secretary the police were stretched to breaking point, and now as health minister we've got record high waiting times," she said.
Sources close to Yousaf’s campaign said she said sorry to the Health Secretary on the same night after the debate.
However, a spokesperson for Forbes poured scorn on the claim: “As you would expect of Cabinet colleagues, both Kate and Humza chatted for almost half an hour after the STV debate and left the studios together.
“It was good natured, and claims of an apology are absolute nonsense. On the contrary, in that conversation afterwards they both mentioned their desire to include the other in their future Cabinet.
“Both Humza and Kate have put each other in the spotlight during the STV and subsequent TV debates, which is part and parcel of a leadership campaign.
"Kate continues to make the case that she is best placed to deliver independence for Scotland.”
The final TV debate will take place this evening on the BBC.
The vote opened on Monday and party insiders believe the result will be tight.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
