NEIL Gray has ruled himself out of the SNP leadership contest.
The Culture, Europe and International Development Minister had been tipped by some as a contender to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
But on Sunday morning he tweeted he would not be standing, citing his young family and being "relatively new" to government as his reasons.
He has revealed he will be backing colleague Humza Yousaf to take the top job after the Health Secretary confirmed he would be running late on Saturday evening.
Gray said: "It has been incredibly flattering to have been suggested as a candidate to be the next leader of the SNP and First Minister of Scotland. I am very grateful to those across the party who have asked me to stand.
"The job of the next leader of the SNP is to be a First Minister that can continue to govern effectively, build a team to re-earn the incredible popular support inspired by Nicola and to take people on the journey to consistent majority support for independence & a fairer Scotland.
"I have seriously considered, with family and colleagues, whether I am the right person to do that job.
My view is that @HumzaYousaf has the skills and experience to bring people across the party and civic Scotland together behind our vision for a fairer independent Scotland. I will therefore be giving him my full support as the next @theSNP leader and First Minister of Scotland. https://t.co/aTSaghsdra
— Neil Gray MSP (@neilgraysnp) February 19, 2023
"I have concluded that with my children the age they are, and given I am relatively new to government, now is not the right time for me.
"The SNP is lucky to have a range of talented, energetic and passionate potential leaders who can take people with us on that journey to a fairer independent Scotland.
"My view is that Humza Yousaf has the skills and experience to bring people across the party and civic Scotland together behind our vision for a fairer independent Scotland. I will therefore be giving him my full support as the next SNP leader and First Minister of Scotland."
Airdrie and Shotts MSP Gray - who has been elected to Holyrood and the House of Commons in his career so far - has led the Scottish Government's response to support Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
It was understood he had some support to go for leadership from the socialist wing of the party.
Delighted to receive Neil's backing. He has rightly been praised for the incredible work he has done in Government. Neil is well respected across our party, movement and country, I am grateful he is putting his faith in me to be our next First Minister. https://t.co/eB6DHiGtiP
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) February 19, 2023
Yousaf and Ash Regan are the only two MSPs so far to put themselves forward to replace Sturgeon after she announced her resignation this week.
Yousaf responded to Gray's endorsement saying: "Delighted to receive Neil's backing. He has rightly been praised for the incredible work he has done in Government.
"Neil is well respected across our party, movement and country, I am grateful he is putting his faith in me to be our next First Minister."
