Kate Forbes rejects reports her supporters are planning 'coup' to replace Humza Yousaf

Defeated SNP leadership contender Kate Forbes has rejected reports her allies are running a “shadow government” and are planning a coup to depose sitting First Minister, Humza Yousaf, from his position.

Humza Yousaf hugs Kate Forbes in the main chamber during the vote for the new First Minister at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh earlier this year.

The Times reported SNP figures close to the former finance secretary turned backbencher are holding private talks with parliamentarians seeking to shore up support for the Highland MSP.

This is despite Ms Forbes claiming it was “highly unlikely” she would run for the job of SNP leader again following what was a significantly challenging and painful leadership campaign.

The MSP was narrowly beaten by Mr Yousaf on second preferences after the third wildcard challenger Ash Regan was eliminated.

Kate Forbes rejected suggestions her supporters were operating a 'shadow government' a planning to launch a coup against Humza Yousaf.

SNP figures routinely point at the 2024 general election as a key point in the future of Mr Yousaf in the role of leader and First Minister, with the party braced for significant losses in the face of a Labour revival across the UK.

Polls suggest the party could lose between 10 and 15 seats at the next election, though would still remain the largest party overall in Scotland.

A larger defeat, one where the party lost 20 or more seats to Labour, would leave Mr Yousaf potentially fatally weakened, leading to a leadership challenge.

The Times reported the allies of Ms Forbes are also hoping to take advantage of the ongoing police investigation into the SNP’s finances and the potential Rutherglen by-election, expected to be a chastening defeat for the SNP.

These allies include former business minister Ivan McKee and Falkirk East MSP Michelle Thomson, both of whom were instrumental in the former finance secretary’s leadership campaign.

On social media, Ms Forbes was quick to quash the reports, calling them “ridiculous”.

She said: “I’d usually ignore articles with ‘sources’ purporting to speak for me & about me, but the latest ‘coup’ piece tonight is ridiculous. I’m busy enough - contributing to policy debates, supporting the party & working in the constituency, where there are no shortage of fine coos.

"I know people are desperate to see the SNP split and divided, but the challenges facing us as a country and a party require all of us to pull together. I speak for myself, and I’ve been consistent since the leadership contest: we must be united and focused on what matters.”

However, the SNP Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, made a similar claim after reports he was planning to challenge Ian Blackford’s position. It was only a matter of weeks before Mr Flynn had replaced the Sturgeon loyalist in the top nationalist job in London.

Reports of such a coup come alongside continued drip-feeding of details about the ongoing police investigation into the party’s finances which saw their former chief executive and husband of Nicola Sturgeon, Peter Murrell, and their former treasurer, Colin Beattie, arrested. Both were released without charge, pending further investigation.

The Sunday Mail reported bequests from SNP supporters in their wills are part of the investigation into the party finances.

The party has received significant donations in recent years through bequests, including £246,000 from the estate of Estelle Brownrigg, reported to the Electoral Commission earlier this year.

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