Talk of former SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford running to replace Kate Forbes should be taken with a “huge dose of salt”, the deputy First Minister has said.

Forbes announced earlier this week she would be standing down as the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch at next year’s election.

Newspaper reports subsequently suggested Blackford was considering seeking the nomination after being encouraged by members.

But appearing at a live recording of the Herald’s Unspun podcast at the Edinburgh Fringe, Forbes said she had spoken to the former MP for Ross, Skye and Lochaber in recent days and he had not mentioned considering seeking the seat.

The Deputy First Minister said she was taking such reports with a “huge dose of salt”.

“I had a chat with him a few days ago and that certainly w

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