Early supporters of SNP leadership contender Kate Forbes have deserted her over her opposition to same sex marriage.
Four party MSPs and an MP u-turned after Forbes said she would not have supported the equality measure in 2014.
A party insider said: "I don’t see how she can recover".
Finance secretary Forbes was believed to be an early frontrunner in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister.
But the evangelical Christian’s comments on equal marriage have triggered a backlash amongst her allies.
Finance secretary Forbes was believed to be an early frontrunner in the race to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and First Minister.
But the evangelical Christian’s comments on equal marriage have triggered a backlash amongst her allies.
Richard Lochhead, the just transition minister, indicated early support for her - but backtracked after the gay rights row:
“I welcomed my colleague Kate Forbes’ decision to join the SNP leadership contest given her talents & felt it would give us a real contest: new ideas and a new approach that we desperately need. However, I agree we can’t have a Party Leader who’d vote against same sex marriage.”
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, another initial backer, tweeted:
“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.”
Children and Young People Minister Clare Haughey was “delighted” to nominate Forbes, but hours later wrote:
“I absolutely and completely support equal marriage. I am unequivocal on this issue. I cannot continue to support Kate’s leadership campaign.”
Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur also ditched her: “Equal marriage is amongst our Parliament's greatest achievements and one that I would have been proud to vote for had I been an MSP when it was passed. Consequently, I am unable to continue to support Kate's campaign.”
Drew Hendry, an SNP MP in the Highlands MP, tweeted: "Whilst I wish her well for the future, my focus now is on ensuring we can bring people across communities, of all faiths - and none - back to a position of love, understanding, and, above all, respect. To that end, sadly, I cannot continue to back Kate’s leadership bid."
Hannah Bardell, a party MP who had not backed the Forbes campaign, wrote: "I hope in time she might understand why her views are so difficult for so many of us. I’d be very open to discuss it. Progress on equality can never stand still, it must always evolve. Meantime I wish her well with her campaign and hope that others who may disagree with her can do so with respect and dignity. Please.
"Everyone is entitled to their views, and to express them. But as elected politicians we have to recognize how powerful and important our words can be and that they will always be rightly, open to criticism and challenge."
A party insider said the first day of Forbes’ campaign had been a “car crash”, adding that she was “sinking fast”.
In an interview yesterday, she said she would have voted against the landmark equalities bill "as a matter of conscience".
"I believe that it should be a conscience vote because of its profound significance in all mainstream faiths," she told The Scotsman.
"I think for me, Angela Merkel is the example I would follow, I would have voted, as a matter of conscience, along the lines of mainstream teaching in most major religions that marriage is between a man and a woman.
"But I would have respected and defended the democratic choice that was made."
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