The Scottish Government has been rocked by another high-profile resignation as Finance Secretary Kate Forbes steps down from her role after admitting to a breach of the Ministerial Code.
The controversy centres on Ms Forbes' failure to properly register her husband's company directorships, which represents a clear violation of the standards expected of Scottish ministers. The revelation comes at a particularly challenging time for First Minister John Swinney, who has been working to stabilise his administration.
What exactly happened?
According to official records, Ms Forbes did not declare that her husband, Alasdair Maclennan, serves as a director for MKK Consultancy and Maclennan (Strontian) Limited. Both companies were established earlier this year, raising questions about how long the oversight might have continued without intervention.
"This represents a breach of the Ministerial Code," a Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed, highlighting the seriousness of the situation.
Political fallout intensifies
The timing couldn't be worse for the SNP-led government, which has faced numerous challenges in recent months. Ms Forbes, who previously contested the SNP leadership against Mr Swinney, was considered one of the most prominent figures in the Scottish Cabinet.
Her departure creates immediate pressure on the First Minister to reshuffle his ministerial team while managing the political damage from yet another standards breach within his government.
What happens next?
With the Finance Secretary role now vacant, political observers are watching closely to see how Mr Swinney will handle this latest crisis. The opposition parties have already seized upon the resignation as evidence of wider governance issues within the Scottish Government.
The incident raises broader questions about transparency and accountability in Scottish politics, particularly regarding how ministers manage potential conflicts of interest involving family members.
