Former Finance Secretary Says She Faced Unprecedented Levels Of Vitriol During Campaign

Kate Forbes: SNP leadership race runner-up says Scottish politics 'getting nastier'

Former finance secretary says she faced 'unprecedented levels of vitriol' during campaign

Senior SNP figures criticized Forbes' views on same-sex marriage and abortion

Kate Forbes, the SNP leadership race runner-up, has said that Scottish politics is "getting nastier" after she faced "unprecedented levels of vitriol" during the campaign.

The former finance secretary, who is on maternity leave, said she had received thousands of messages from people who fundamentally disagreed with her views on same-sex marriage and abortion.

Senior SNP politicians, notably those closest to Sturgeon, such as John Swinney, a former party leader, criticized Forbes' views.

Forbes, who has been standing in as finance secretary since December, said she was "disappointed" by the level of personal attacks she faced.

The SNP leadership campaign has been overshadowed by a number of controversies, including the resignation of Humza Yousaf as health secretary after he was found to have broken the ministerial code.