ALLIES of Kate Forbes have praised the former finance secretary for a “selfless” and “class” act as she confirmed she would not be standing against John Swinney in a party leadership contest.

Forbes had been hotly tipped to replace Humza Yousaf as SNP leader and it was thought she may launch a campaign to rival Swinney’s after he announced his intention to run on Thursday.

But she confirmed she had had “frank and constructive” talks with the former deputy first minister and would not be running against him.

She acknowledged some SNP members who had reached out and urged her to stand would likely be disappointed but stressed “delivering on the priorities for which we have, together, advocated in recent years has been at the heart of today’s decision”.

READ MORE: John Swinney 'making personal sacrifice' to become SNP leader

Some of her most committed supporters came out on social media to praise her endorsing Swinney.

MSP Michelle Thomson, Forbes’ former campaign manager, said: “A class statement from a class act.

“Pleased to see Kate Forbes and John Swinney agreeing a way forward. The SNP has always been at its best when it is mainstream and delivering for the people of Scotland. We have much to do.”

MP Joanna Cherry, who insisted in a column for The National she would’ve supported Forbes in any leadership contest, said Forbes had made a “selfless” move.

Sharing Forbes’s statement, she tweeted: “A selfless act looking to the best interests of the country and party. There’s more to admire Kate for than just her grace under fire.”

Forbes said she was “greatly heartened” by Swinney’s drive to “restore a sense of courtesy and dignity to the way we conduct ourselves as a party and as a Parliament”.

MSP Ivan McKee warned the SNP against backing Swinney in an article for the Daily Record earlier this week as he argued this would lead to “more of the same” for the party.

READ MORE: Kate Forbes's full statement as she rules herself out of SNP leadership race

He said the SNP needed “not to be timid” as he insisted Forbes was an “outstanding talent” who can reach part of the electorate others cannot.

But after she opted not to run for leadership, McKee said: “Excellent statement from Kate Forbes on need for SNP unity and sharing John Swinney’s aim to govern from the mainstream, focusing on the interests of the people of Scotland.”

Swinney said he found Forbes’s statement to be “graceful, welcome and thoughtful” and suggested in his speech confirming a leadership bid that she would be offered a position in his government should he become first minister.

Energy minister Gillian Martin, who withdrew her endorsement of Forbes last year after her comments on equal marriage, added she was "glad" Swinney had intimated "a key role" for Forbes.

"They both have so much to give to this country," Martin said on Twitter/X.