Mairi McAllan rules herself out of SNP leadership race

Mairi McAllan has ruled herself out of running in the SNP leadership race.

The Scottish Environment Minister has said “now is not the right time” for her to compete in the leadership race.

The MSP announced her decision not to run via Twitter.

She said: “With the sincerest admiration for Nicola Sturgeon and with thanks to every single person who encouraged me to run and seek to follow in her footsteps, please see my statement on the SNP leadership contest.”

She went on to say “I believe it is vital that progressive voices, including those of women and young people, are central to our Party, our government and to the Scotland we are seeking to build. Our voices matter and they must be heard”.

She added: “It is now up to this generation to deliver independence.”

The statement further said: “However, for various reasons, at this stage I have concluded that now is not the right time for me to seek the very top job of leading our Party and our country.”

She said she plans to continue to support the leadership and to help advance Scotland’s independence movement.

Ukraine minister Neil Gray has also ruled himself out of the race and is currently supporting Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, who announced his run on Saturday as well as former minister Ash Regan.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney has ruled himself out to be next the leader, as has Stephen Flynn, the SNP’s Westminster leader.

Other potential candidates yet to announce include Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and Angus Robertson.