KATE Forbes has hit out at "ridiculous" claims her supporters are organising a coup against First Minister Humza Yousaf.
Some of those who backed her in the SNP leadership election against Yousaf and Ash Regan are organising a "shadow government", The Times reported.
It added that when one Forbes supporter was told her backers resemble a “government in exile”, the MSP replied: “You mean government in waiting.”
The plot would see the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP in a position to challenge Yousaf if the SNP underperform in the next General Election.
However, former finance secretary Forbes has now spoken out to rubbish the coup claims.
I’d usually ignore articles with ‘sources’ purporting to speak for me & about me, but the latest ‘coup’ piece tonight is ridiculous. I’m busy enough - contributing to policy debates, supporting the party & working in the constituency, where there are no shortage of fine coos. pic.twitter.com/QoxPC22kmm
— Kate Forbes MSP (@_KateForbes) April 29, 2023
She tweeted: “I’d usually ignore articles with ‘sources’ purporting to speak for me & about me, but the latest ‘coup’ piece tonight is ridiculous."
Alongside an image of a cow, she punned: “I’m busy enough – contributing to policy debates, supporting the party & working in the constituency, where there are no shortage of fine coos.
"I know people are desperate to see the SNP split and divided, but the challenges facing us as a country and a party require all of us to pull together. I speak for myself, and I’ve been consistent since the leadership contest: we must be united and focused on what matters."
Forbes has previously said it is "highly, highly unlikely" she would stand again to be SNP leader.
Her comments came during the leadership race.
She said: "I think it would be unlikely that I would come back in the future. I will continue to support the party and I’ll support the leader, but I feel like I’ve made my campaign clear.
“People know who they’re voting for. It’s up to members to determine which of us is First Minister, but I think it’s unlikely that I would stand again. You can never say never, but I think it’s highly, highly unlikely.
“I think this, for me, is probably the one opportunity."
After narrowly losing the SNP leadership campaign, Forbes said she would “fully support” Yousaf as First Minister – but turned down a position as Rural Affairs Secretary.
She recently published a policy paper alongside close campaign allies and MSPs Ivan McKee and Michelle Thomson.
