Another SNP veteran decides not to run for First Minister
Angus Robertson will not join the leadership contest
The SNP's former leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson has announced he will not stand to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and first minister of Scotland.
The Scottish Constitution Secretary had been widely tipped as one of those who would run for the top job.
He said it was a "privilege and honour" that party colleagues wanted him to take on the job.
But he added: "As the father of two very young children, the time is not right for me and my family to take on such a huge commitment."
Mr Robertson, who was elected to Holyrood in 2021 after losing his Westminster seat in Moray in 2017, said he would work with the next SNP leader to "deliver progressive policies and economic success for Scotland and help secure Scottish independence within the European Union".
Forbes to make it three-way contest
Confirmation that he will not stand comes as Kate Forbes, the Finance Secretary at Holyrood, is expected to announce her candidacy.
Five days after Ms Sturgeon dramatically quit the post, only two contenders for the job of SNP leader and first minister have emerged so far.
Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has already announced he will run for the post, as has former community safety minister Ash Regan, who resigned from her ministerial position in protest at the Scottish Government's gender reform plans.
SNP depute leader Keith Brown and Deputy First Minister John Swinney have ruled themselves out of the race, as have Stephen Flynn, the SNP's Westminster leader, Ukraine minister Neil Gray and the environment minister, Mairi McAllan.
Youngest candidate
Ms Forbes has long been seen as a potential successor to the First Minister.
She was thrust into the limelight by having to step in and deliver the Scottish budget at the 11th hour in 2020 after her predecessor, Derek Mackay, resigned in disgrace.
But the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who is a Free Church of Scotland member, could be at odds with the wider party - and current policy - on some social issues, including the hotly-debated gender reforms blocked by the UK Government.
Candidates have until Friday to secure 100 nominations from at least 20 local branches to secure their place on the ballot, with the new SNP leader being announced on March 27.