Lochhead knew about Forbes' faith before supporting leadership bid
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AFTER U-turning on Kate Forbes's push to become First Minister, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead said he knew about her views before declaring support.
However, he did not expect her faith to influence how she would vote.
Mr Lochhead, minister for just transition, employment and fair work, tweeted that he was "delighted" and "now we have a real contest" after Ms Forbes first declared her bid.
However he withdrew his support less than 12 hours later, after Free Church member Ms Forbes admitted that she would have voted against same sex marriage in 2014.
After the news broke, he tweeted again and said: "I agree we can’t have a party leader who’d vote against same sex marriage."
Forbes's admission was "beyond the pale" and her beliefs are "incompatible" with modern Scotland, Lochhead said.
He said: "Of course I was aware of her Church membership.
"It is important to note that this is not about the fact she has faith.
"This is about how she would conduct herself in office.
"There are many leaders who have deeply-held religious views in office and don't allow these views to influence how they vote.
"Kate's stance is beyond the pale for many members, for the office of First Minister and for the SNP's values and belief in equality.
"When she stated she would vote against same sex marriage – that is about about removing people's rights.
"And that is incompatible with the principles of the SNP and modern Scotland."
Mr Lochhead, however, also said Ms Forbes had been a "first class Finance Secretary" and he had enjoyed working with her.
He said: “Kate Forbes is a very talented, lovely and kind person and it has been a pleasure to work alongside her in previous years.
"She has been a first class Finance Secretary.
“I did welcome her decision to throw her hat in the ring as we need a real contest and she could bring fresh ideas especially in terms of our economic future.
“But when Kate said she’d vote against same sex marriage, I felt that was incompatible with being First Minister and SNP Leader, given that these posts must reflect our party’s and country’s core values of equality and upholding people’s rights.
“I’ve made my position clear and ultimately it is for members of the SNP to choose our next leader."
