Kate Forbes has held nothing back in a furious tirade against Humza Yousaf’s SNP leadership.
The MSP, who narrowly lost to Mr Yousaf in March, has not ruled out the possibility of trying to lead the Scottish Government in the future and blasted the SNP’s coalition with the Green Party.
After losing to Mr Yousaf with 47.9 percent of the vote to his 52.1 percent, Ms Forbes turned down a position in his government has has remained on the backbenches ever since.
However a recent interview saw the former finance minister rip into his government’s Green policies and refuse to rule out a potential leadership bid.
In an interview with the West Highland Free Press, the Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP admitted she would be “incredibly reluctant” to stand again – but did not rule it out in the future, giving no indication of possible timings.
But she added: “The only reason I would not say never is: Who can control the way circumstances unfold.
“The membership made their decision, and I am not sore about it. I respect democracy. The only thing that exercises me is that I think it is high time we had a Highlander at the helm.”
She has been particularly critical of the Bute House Agreement with the Greens, including policies such as the Highly Protected Marine Areas which proposed a fishing ban in 10 per cent of Scottish coastal waters, and the delays to road upgrade projects on the A96 and the A9.
These moves have been unpopular among residents in the Scottish Highlands – with low population density.
She said her issue with the Greens was not an issue of “ideology” but rather of “delivery”.
She said: “My query about the Bute House Agreement is on where ideology hits delivery. When it comes to Highly Protected Marine Areas, as well as other aspects, it has been found wanting.
“That is not a controversial view. It has been accepted by the Government as well as others.
“It stands to reason that, as our economy evolves, surely any government would be flexible in its legislative approach, so why not the Bute House Agreement?”
Kate Forbes came under fire during her bid to become First Minister for her views on transgender rights, after she refused to support Nicola Sturgeon’s controvesial gender legislation. She told reporters she “does not believe” in self-identification.
She also criticised proposals from zero carbon buildings minister Patrick Harvie to force home owners to replace their gas boilers with more eco-friendly heat pumps.
Ms Forbes said: “Fuel poverty is higher in the Highlands and Islands than anywhere else, we have more off-grid properties than anywhere else.
“And there are suggestions, for instance, that we are going to penalise people who are off-grid on the basis of the nature of their boiler. Perhaps in a different world people might have excess cash to do this.”
She eventually lost the leadership bid to Humza Yousaf by 2,142 votes.
Ms Forbes herself has faced criticism for her socially conservative viewpoints.
These include her religious views on sexual ethics, which include a disavowal of sex before marriage, rejection of same-sex marriage, and of most abortions.
An SNP spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “The Bute House agreement was voted for by 95% of SNP members and has achieved free bus travel for under 22’s and an increase to the Scottish Child Payment.”
