KATE Forbes has hinted that she would have “loved” to have stayed on as Finance Secretary but added it was up to “the boss” Humza Yousaf to pick his top team.

The SNP leadership contender, who won 48% of the membership vote compared to Yousaf’s 52% at the second preference stage, is now heading to the backbenches after she turned down the role of Cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and islands.

Mairi Gougeon is set to stay on in the role, with Forbes now due to focus on her work as a constituency MSP as she steps back from the frontbenches following a gruelling contest.

It comes as Neil Gray, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, and Yousaf’s campaign manager, said that the door is open for Forbes to return to a ministerial post “when she feels it is right to do so”.

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Speaking on the Holyrood Sources podcast, Forbes said that she would be using her time on the backbenches to do some “heavy thinking” on policy and the future of the independence campaign.

She told the programme that she “absolutely loved” the role of Finance Secretary. Forbes returned early from maternity leave from her post to take part in the leadership contest against Yousaf and Ash Regan.

“I felt I could do well, it was a role that I think requires particular insights right now with the renegotiation of the fiscal framework,” Forbes said.

“Obviously, finances are stretched, and lastly, you know, I think it is fair to say that after five weeks of a contest in which many things have been said people would be looking to me to maintain integrity, and obviously I would seek to support the government in full, whilst obviously trying to hold to perhaps some of the positions I'd expressed during the campaign, around things like the Highly Protected Marine Areas.

“So there's a whole host of different reasons.”

Forbes said her “bottom line” is that the SNP is at a crossroads, adding: “I think there's real merit in taking a period of time out of government to do some heavy thinking, and some heavy lifting on policy, and where Scotland goes next, and the nature of Scotland's economy, and what the case for independence looks like, and so I will be thoroughly engaged in all of that.”

Asked how disappointing it was to not be offered the finance secretary role by Yousaf, Forbes said it was not her decision to make.

“Humza Yousaf won, he's the boss and the boss gets to pick his team,” she said.

“In that regard, you know, credit to him where it's due, he had a conversation with me immediately after winning about, you know, my future role.

“He's been respectful, he's been warm. I have been respectful and warm in return, despite some reports of perhaps slightly more impolite phrasing and I absolutely respect him in that regard.

“And if I’d been First Minister, I too would have picked my team and some might have, you know, queried that.

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“But that is his prerogative, and it's a prerogative I respect.”

Forbes also told the podcast she regretted that her early campaign manager Ivan McKee was no longer in a government role. She suggested the job of trade minister was “too small” for McKee, adding: “I do really regret, deeply regret the absence of Ivan McKee because Ivan is exceptional.”

Speaking on BBC Scotland’ Sunday Show, Cabinet Secretary Gray was asked about what Forbes had said on the podcast, and her desire to remain in the finance secretary role.

Gray said: “I think in terms of the finance brief, he [Yousaf] was quite clear to me that he wanted the finance elements to be with the Deputy First Minister and wanted Shona Robison to be Deputy First Minister.

“They had a very positive and warm conversation.

The National: Gray was asked about Forbes comments on the BBCGray was asked about Forbes comments on the BBC (Image: BBC)

“That is what both Humza and Kate have said, and they concluded that it wasn't going to be the case that Kate could be in Cabinet.

“I'm sorry about that. It doesn't have to be the case that that is forever.

“Obviously the door is open for Kate to come back when she feels it's right for her to do so.”

Gray was asked why DFM Robison briefed that Forbes had rejected the role for a greater “work-life balance”, which was disputed by supporters of the former finance secretary.

He said: “I don't think it's a case of people not telling the truth.

“I think there are a number of elements that play in as to the reasons for why the offer was made from Humza to Kate around the rural affairs Cabinet secretary, and that would have allowed Kate to have a better work-life balance, which I believe was part of the conversation that was had with her.

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“But again, I say that Kate had a very strong campaign.

“She is well respected, not just within the party, but outwith it. She's going to continue to be an asset not just for the SNP but for the independence movement, and the door is open to her to return to Cabinet when the time is right for her.”

Gray was asked if the issue was around Highly Protected Marine Areas, something Forbes was vocally against during the campaign, which would force her to make a very early U-turn if she had to implement the policy.

The MSP said that the FM “genuinely wanted” Forbes to be in his Cabinet.