The SNP civil war has deepened after Kate Forbes turned down First Minister Humza Yousaf’s offer of a junior role in his Cabinet.
Forbes will return to the backbenches after rejecting Yousaf’s offer of Rural Affairs Secretary - a clear demotion from her current Finance role.
Yousaf narrowly defeated Forbes to succeed Nicola Sturgeon and become the new SNP leader and First Minister.
The pair clashed repeatedly throughout the bitter contest, with Forbes attacking Yousaf’s record in Government.
Senior SNP sources hoped unity could be restored by Forbes landing a big job in Yousaf’s Government.
Yousaf said yesterday he wanted Forbes to be in his administration.
"I absolutely want Kate Forbes to be part of the government,” he said.
However, hopes of SNP wounds healing were dashed after Forbes turned down one of the most junior positions in the Cabinet.
She was also sitting in the back row of the Chamber when Yousaf was voted in as First Minister.
Forbes could now position herself as the leader of a powerful group of backbenchers who make life difficult for Yousaf.
With Sturgeon, John Swinney and Forbes out of Government, Yousaf faces a tough challenge in filling his Cabinet with experienced Ministers.
However, he did confirm that Sturgeon ally Shona Robison would be his deputy first minister.
He said: "Shona Robison has agreed to be my deputy first minister, which I'm delighted about. She and I are just about to go up and finalise some of our cabinet appointments."
Robison is current the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice.
She steered through the controversial gender recognition reform legislation through parliament.
However, the bill has been blocked by the UK Government. She has been an MSP since 1999.
Robison said: "I am honoured to accept Humza’s request to be his Deputy First Minister. I look forward to working with him and our Cabinet on the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland.
“I have served alongside Humza for a long time and I know that his leadership will build on the solid foundations we have been left by the former First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
"His election as First Minister is a historic moment and marks the beginning of a new chapter for the country.”
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