SNP leadership candidate Kate Forbes has told Sky News her faith means having children outside of marriage is “wrong” and something she would personally “seek to avoid”.
The finance minister also said transgender double rapist Isla Bryson was “a man” and she did not support making it easier for 16- and 17-year-olds to change sex.
When asked about her views on children outside of marriage, Ms. Forbes told Sky News: “It’s completely up to them. It’s something I would personally seek to avoid.
“But it doesn’t upset me, it doesn’t put me up or down. The choices other people make are [up to them].
“About my faith, my faith says sex is for marriage and that’s the approach I’m going to take.”
MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch said she celebrates lives that have been brought into the world outside of marriage, but that doesn’t align with her faith teachings as a member of The Church of Liberty Scotland.
She added: “For me, in my faith it’s wrong, but for you, I don’t know what your faith is. So in a free society you can do things what you want.”
Mrs. Forbes’s comments come amid a backlash over her views on marriage equality. She once again apologized for any “hurt or insult” they may have caused.
MSP, who is running for SNP leader and first minister along with Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan, said she would be working with Scotland Greens MSP Gillian Mackay on a bill to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics.
When asked through Controversial case of transgender double rapist Isla BrysonMs. Forbes stated: “The rapist cannot be a woman and therefore my straightforward answer would be Isla Bryson is a man.”
Ms Forbes stated that it was “evil” for the UK government to block the Scottish government’s controversial Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill.
However, she said: “We need to rethink protective measures, especially around young people.
“I would be more supportive if it was 18-year-olds.”
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When asked if she would challenge intervention in court, Ms. Forbes said most polls have shown that people of Scotland wants the Scottish government to focus on issues like the cost of living and the NHS.
“On my first day as minister, I will outline my plans and policies to deliver economic growth and ensure that the NHS is on a sustainable path,” she said.
On the issue of independence, Ms Forbes said the party needed to “reach out more” to win voters.
“We need a minister first who is fully behind our businesses and workers to deliver economic growth,” she said.
Ms. Forbes hopes to become Scotland’s first SNP leader and minister
MSP added that she will use the next election to show support for indyref2 “by putting independence first and foremost”.
When asked what is the craziest thing she has ever done, Ms. Forbes said: “Riding a motorbike. I learned to ride a motorbike long before I knew how to drive a car.”
