SNP FACE CIVIL WAR

Forbes ally says backing Swinney is like replacing Sturgeon with Yousaf and blasts: 'We know how that turned out'

- PAUL HUTCHEON

THE SNP is facing “civil war” after leadership contender Kate Forbes’ top ally compared her rival for the job to failed Humza Yousaf.

MSP Ivan McKee said backing a “continuity ” candidate like John Swinney was “eerily reminiscent” of choosing Yousaf as leader after Nicola Sturgeon resigned.

He blasted: “And we all know now how well that turned out.”

Swinney and Forbes, both former finance secretaries, are considering running for the leadership after Yousaf ’s resignation.

Swinney spoke out about the importance of “unity” in the party yesterday as he confirmed he is thinking about a bid to be first minister.

Forbes also said she had a “groundswell of support” as she considered a second attempt at the SNP leadership after narrowly losing to Humza Yousaf last year.

In an article for the Record, McKee, a key Forbes supporter, wrote: “More of the same isn’t going to cut it. We’ve tried that.

“In difficult times it can be tempting to cling to what we think feels comfortable but that is precisely when we should be seeking to grasp the opportunities before us, not to be timid.”

This will be seen as a dig at Swinney, who led the party 20 years ago and who was Nicola Sturgeon’s deputy for nine years.

Swinney has received the backing of most of Yousaf ’s Cabinet and SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn.

But McKee wrote: “Rushing to endorse a continuity candidate at this early stage is eerily reminiscent of what happened in last year’s contest– and we all know now how well that turned out.”