Humza Yousaf has accused Kate Forbes of handing the Tories "so much ammunition" with which to attack the SNP's record in government.
In another stormy leadership debate on live TV, the health secretary turned his fire on his Cabinet colleague after she had previously questioned his suitability to replace Nicola Sturgeon.
Forbes, the finance secretary, had set the contest to become the next First Minister alight earlier this week after she attacked Yousaf's record as a minister.
