Kate Forbes apologises 'unequivocally' for revealing views on gay marriage

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has defended her controversial comments surrounding gay marriage as she looks to become Scotland's first minister. Louise Scott reports

An MSP hoping to replace Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland's first minister has apologised for offending the LGBT+ community with her views on gay marriage and insisted her campaign to lead the SNP is still alive.

Kate Forbes, who revealed on Monday she would have voted against gay marriage had she the chance, told ITV News: "I unequivocally apologise for any hurt and offence that has been caused.

"I absolutely defend people's right in this country to marry, as they've been able to do for the past nine years."

Ms Forbes was very briefly the favourite to succeed Ms Sturgeon after throwing her hat into the leadership race, until she revealed, in a number of interviews, her views of "marriage being between a man and a woman".

Asked by Channel 4 if she would have voted against gay marriage, had she been elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2014 when the legislation was approved, she said: "I would have."

Shortly after, a number of early supporters of her campaign withdrew their backing.

These included: public finance minister Tom Arthur, minister for children Clare Haughey, and health committee convener Gillian Martin.

Ms Martin said she was "uncomfortable" reading the comments, before adding: "We must be full-throated in our support of equal marriage. No if or buts. I won’t be supporting Kate’s campaign on that basis. I wish her well- she’s extremely talented. But I have red lines. And this is one."

Finance Secretary Ms Forbes, a member of the Free Church of Scotland, asked by BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland programme if her campaign was over before it began, she replied: “Absolutely not. We have a large party membership, most of whom are not on Twitter.

“I understand people have very strong views on these matters. I think the public are longing for politicians to answer straight questions with straight answers and that’s certainly what I’ve tried to do in the media yesterday. That doesn’t necessarily allow for much nuance.

“My position on these matters is that I will defend to the hilt everybody’s rights in a pluralistic and tolerant society, to live and to love free of harassment and fear.”