An SNP leadership candidate has refused to say if she personally believes a rape victim should be able to get an abortion.
She said she would "uphold" the law after being asked the question twice by the Record.
Voting opened today in the three way race between Forbes, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and backbencher Ash Regan to succeed Nicola Sturgeon.
The contest has been dominated by Forbes’ personal opposition to same sex marriage and questions have also been raised about her views on abortion.
At a campaign event on women’s rights in Glasgow, Forbes was asked if she personally believes a women who has been raped should be able to get an abortion.
She said: “I have already said that I wouldn't have an abortion myself, but I would uphold the laws which allow for women to access abortion services.”
Asked the same question again, she replied: “I personally wouldn't have an abortion. So whatever scenario you put to me, my answer will be the same, which is that at the end of the day, the decisions I make are not the decisions that I'm imposing on other people.”
Asked why the answer was not “yes”, she said: “I've outlined to you quite clearly that I don't think the law should be changed.”
In 2018, Forbes told a prayer breakfast the treatment of the “unborn” is a “measure of true progress”.
Forbes has separately been accused of being anti abortion by a women's health charity.
At a hustings, candidates were asked about Scots women having to travel to England for late abortions.
Forbes said: “I don't think any woman goes for a termination lightly, and it must be one of the most traumatic experiences that I can imagine.
“In terms of the care and support that we have in Scotland. I think we actually need to do far more when it comes to wraparound support from beginning to end for women in these situations.
“Any friend I've had in a situation who's had to go through that, talks about the trauma and the challenge of it all. And so to have to travel on top of that is only exacerbating the trauma.”
The response drew a stinging response from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which is the UK’s leading abortion care service.
They tweeted: “At yesterday's #SNPHustings, a member asked about abortion in Scotland. The candidates had very different answers.
“Kate Forbes might sound reasonable - but the idea that all abortion is traumatic, and care and support insufficient is straight out the anti-choice playbook.”
The charity continued: “Caring for women is central to abortion services. This is not because abortion is inherently traumatic, but because we are healthcare providers. For so many women, the main feeling after abortion is relief. They don't need to be told by politicians their response is wrong.
“So beware proposals that focus on the need for more counselling, more independent involvement, a focus on the 'trauma' abortion involves for women. Because that is not coming from providers or from women - it's coming from people who believe abortion is inherently wrong.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
