Christian politician launches bid to be Scottish First Minister

A Christian politician has launched a bid to become Scotland's next First Minister, following a resignation announcement by Nicola Sturgeon.

Kate Forbes, who is currently Scotland's Finance Secretary, announced that she would join the race for the top job earlier this week.

She will be contesting Scotland's current Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, and former Community Safety Minister Ash Regan.

Ms Forbes has been outspoken in her faith since becoming an MSP. In an interview with Nick Robinson of the BBC, she said:

“To be straight, I believe in the person of Jesus Christ. I believe that he died for me, he saved me and that my calling is to serve and to love him and to serve and love my neighbours with all my heart and soul and mind and strength. So that, for me, is essential to my being. Politics will pass. I was a person before I was a politician and that person will continue to believe that I am made in the image of God.”

She is a member of the evangelical Free Church of Scotland, which holds to orthodox Christian teaching on moral issues.

In recent days, her faith has come under scrutiny with some questioning whether a person with her beliefs can be First Minister.

Ivan McKee, the Scottish Government Business Minister, has backed her campaign for leadership and defended religous liberty.

Asked if Forbes' religious views could be a problem for her staging a leadership campaign, McKee said:

"I don't think it would be. And I'm speaking here as an atheist. And I think if we get to the point where we are saying that people, obviously on faith, can't hold political office because of their faith then I think that that would be a very concerning situation."