WATCH: Scotland's business minister Ivan McKee says Kate Forbes would be 'excellent leader of the party and next First Minister of Scotland' during visit to Highlands
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HIGHLAND MSP Kate Forbes has received another boost in her campaign to become Scotland's next First Minister.
During a visit to Muir of Ord earlier today, The Scottish Government's Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise, Ivan McKee, reaffirmed his support for the SNP leadership candidate.
And he also firmly endorsed plans for a leadership debate being hosted by The Inverness Courier.
He made his remarks during a visit to SGL Carbon in Muir of Ord, one of a number of stop-offs planned for the Highlands today.
RELATED: How you can get involved in the Inverness Courier leadership debate
Asked about the leadership debate and whether he still supported Kate Forbes' bid, he said: "It's great to see you are having a leadership debate. It's really important there's as much visibility as possible.
"My view on it is that Kate has absolutely got the talent and the ability to be an excellent leader of the party and to be the next First Minister of Scotland."
He confirmed that she still enjoys his support – he was amongst the first high-profile figure to come out for her last month.
Earlier he toured the SGL plant, the only UK producer of carbon fibres and oxidised fibres.
It is part of a global network of 29 production sites within the SGL Carbon group.
SGL manufactured products serve many industries that are shaping Scotland’s journey to net zero, including providing structural elements in wind turbine blades.
The majority ofits carbon fibre is used for the structural elements in wind turbine blades but also in automotive and industrial applications.Our Panox is used in a range of applications from flame-proofing, to insulating fabrics and brake discs. Most recently it is being used also in battery storage devices. Its chopped and milled products are particularly effective in situations where the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of a material system are to be enhanced.
Around 250 people are employed at the Muir of Ord site making it an important and large employer.
Mr McKee said he had seen "hugely impressive" technology from the "forward-looking business".
He was also due to visit the Port of Cromarty Firth in Invergordon. Ahead of that planned visit, he said: "The fact that Cromarty and Inverness secured the freeport status is hugely welcome."
He said it was "fabulous" the area will be able to use that freeport status to support Scotland's renewable energy sector.
