Kate Forbes rejects claim she told Humza Yousaf to 'stick' his offer of cabinet post
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Kate Forbes has rejected the chance to serve in the new Scottish Government under leadership rival Humza Yousaf in a move that is being read as a rejection of the SNP-Greens coalition.
She was offered the Rural Affairs post but turned it down and will now sit as a backbencher meaning she is free of ministerial responsibility so can vote and argue as she wishes.
During the campaign Ms Forbes pledged to outright scrap Highly Protected Marine Areas which was part of the Bute House agreement that brought the Greens into government.
The policy has been severely criticised by coastal communities all around Scotland as potentially devastating to their livelihoods and Ms Forbes herself described it as “an example of how not to do government”.
She also said that she would pause the deposit return scheme which has received an avalanche of criticism from almost all directions about its inpracticability, costs, effectiveness and the damage it would cause.
Her refusal is a potential blow to Mr Yousaf as she could have effectively neutralised a significant alternative political voice who is unfettered to speak her mind.
A leadership campaign source for Ms Forbes said: “Kate had a very amicable discussion with Humza and let him know that she did not wish to be considered for a cabinet position at this time and will return from maternity leave as a backbencher. Kate is now a mum with a young family, and Humza understands the importance of family coming first. Kate has wished Humza well as he puts together his own cabinet.”
She has since said in an apparent reference to reports claiming she told Mr Yousaf to “stick it” that: “Being appointed to any job in government is nothing but a privilege and an honour. I’d never be as impolite about any such offer as has been attributed.
“I’m very much looking forward to supporting the cabinet team from the backbenches – and asking plenty of constituency questions!”
