Kate Forbes, a contender to replace Nicola Sturgeon as Scottish First Minister has apologised for her comments on same-sex marriage.

The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Cadenoch, and a member of the Free Church of Scotland has said that she is sorry for causing any “pain”  to the LGBTQ+ community when she said that she believed marriage should only be between a man and a woman, and that she would have voted against same-sex marriage when it was made legal in Scotland in 2014

Forbes, who is the Cabinet for Finance and the Economy told the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland that: “I think the public are longing for politicians to answer straight questions with straight answers and that’s certainly what I tried to do in the media yesterday. That doesn’t necessarily allow for much nuance.”

However, she went on to say that: “Equal marriages is a legal right, and, as a servant of democracy, rather than a dictator, I absolutely respect and defend that democratic right…

“In a free society you can do what you want.”

She has denied that her stance has damaged her leadership prospects, although several Scottish MSPs have withdrawn their support for her.

Nicola Sturgeon’s replacement is expected to be announced next month. Also standing to succeed Ms Sturgeon are Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf.