"I respect her decision which which may not mean she is lost to politics or she won't come back," he told The Herald .

In a statement yesterday morning, the Deputy First Minister and MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who has a daughter Naomi, three, and older stepchildren, said she does not wish to “miss any more of the precious early years of family life”.

The 35-year-old is one of the SNP ’s most significant politicians, having finished second in the 2023 leadership election, which saw Humza Yousaf succeed Nicola Sturgeon as party leader.

Kate Forbes exit: Has Holyrood failed mission to be a family friendly organisation?

Kate Forbes exit: Has Holyrood failed mission to be a family friendly organisation?

Kate Forbes to quit Holyrood: what does her departure mean for the SN

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