Kate Forbes is on the verge of joining the race to become the next SNP leader after a senior MSP claimed she is "head and shoulders above" the other potential candidates.
Ivan McKee, the Scottish Government business minister, described Forbes as "a hugely talented individual" with a set of "remarkable political skills".
He said: "I've considered all the names that have been suggested. And to be honest with you, I think that the candidate that will stand head and shoulders above anyone else, if she chooses to stand, would be Kate Forbes."
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance has been on maternity leave since last year after giving birth to her daughter in August.
But the 32-year-old could now make a sensational return to Holyrood as the successor to Nicola Sturgeon if she can win the backing of SNP members.
Speaking on Times Radio today, McKee said: "She's a hugely talented individual. She is a real authentic person.
"She's got some remarkable political skills and gauges extremely well with everyone she talks to if you're looking at her record, in terms of being reelected, with one of the largest votes out across the country in 2021.
"And she is hugely committed to Scotland and the cause of independence.
"She would be the person to energise the party and indeed the wider yes movement, bring people together to focus on the issues that we need to win the arguments on for independence."
Forbes was first elected to Holyrood as the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch in 2016.
She was thrust into the political spotlight in February 2020 when she was promoted to finance secretary after the sudden resignation of Derek Mackay.
Forbes was widely praised after delivering the Scottish Government's budget statement with just several hours' notice.
But her religious faith has led some to question whether she could lead a socially liberal party like the SNP.
She is a committed member of the Free Church of Scotland which is opposed to abortion and same-sex marriage.
McKee was asked whether Forbes' religion could be a barrier to her taking the top job in Scottish politics.
He said: "I don't think it would be. And I'm speaking here as an atheist.
"And I think if we get to the point where we are saying that people, obviously on faith, can't hold political office because of their faith then I think that that would be a very concerning situation.
"And I think if Kate had a different faith, we absolutely wouldn't be making those kind of comments. So I don't think her faith is in any way relevant.
"And Kate will speak for herself with regards to her perspective on those issues that you've mentioned and anything else."
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