FORMER finance secretary Kate Forbes, considered one of the frontrunners to take over from Humza Yousaf as SNP leader, has issued a statement after he announced his resignation.

At a press conference on Monday afternoon, Yousaf confirmed reports overnight that said he was set to quit as first minister after the dramatic fallout which followed his decision to end the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.

READ MORE: Who are the favourites to become SNP leader after Humza Yousaf?

Unable to be sure of surviving a no-confidence motion in his leadership tabled by the Tories, Yousaf instead resigned, saying he was “not willing to trade in my values or principles or do deals with whomever simply for retaining power”.

After the news broke, Forbes issued a statement on social media – but did not address whether she will stand to replace Yousaf.

Instead, she praised his “statesmanship and compassion” while first minister.

Forbes wrote: “As First Minister @HumzaYousaf cared passionately about Scotland.

“Few of us will forget his statesmanship and compassion on Gaza.

“He is an honourable man, who displayed dignity and humility today.

“I wish him and Nadia well with their impending new arrival in the summer.”

Elsewhere on Monday, SNP stalwart Fergus Ewing said Forbes was “head and shoulders” above any other potential candidate to take over the job as party leader.

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Speaking just hours after Yousaf resigned, the minister-turned-rebel told BBC Radio 4 the former leadership contender would be the best person for the job.

“Kate Forbes, without a shadow of a doubt, is head and shoulders above the other candidates and she also is not associated with the problems that I think caused Humza eventually to resign,” he said.

Forbes won 48% of the vote in the second round of voting in last year’s leadership election, narrowly losing out to Yousaf on 52%. 

Other early names being talked about to take over as SNP leader have also issued statements in a similar vein to Forbes.

Neil Gray, the Health Secretary and a close ally of Yousaf, said: "I am so sorry, heartsick sad, for 
@HumzaYousaf and Nadia.

"They’ve always put others before themselves and today encapsulates that.

"He’s led and left with dignity, compassion and an overwhelming desire to put the interests of the nation before his own. A true leader. So proud of my friend."

Mairi McAllan, the Net Zero Secretary, said: "Humza as dignified and principled today as I’ve always known him to be. 

"In particular, he can be proud of fearlessly standing with those suffering in Gaza, while other national leaders were shamefully silent. 

"He has much still to give. For now. I wish him, Nadia and family well."

John Swinney, the former deputy first minister, is also being talked about as a potential replacement. On Monday, he also paid tribute to Yousaf, saying he had "given principled and empathetic leadership to our country and has worked tirelessly to bring people together".

Elsewhere, Swinney said he was giving "very active consideration" to running to take over as SNP leader, a role he previously held from 2000-2004.