Wee beauty: SNP’s Kate gives birth to baby girl
SHE is more used to grappling with complex economics as Scotland’s Finance Secretary.
But Kate Forbes will have her hands full for a while after she and husband Ali MacLennan announced the birth of their daughter.
Naomi, the couple’s first child, was delivered at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness last Thursday, weighing 7lb 13oz.
Miss Forbes, 32, and Mr MacLennan married last summer in Dingwall, Rossshire, following her re-election for a second term as the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
Miss Forbes said: ‘We are delighted to welcome little Naomi into the world.
‘Our family would like to record our most sincere thanks to the midwifery and nursing team at Raigmore for all their help.
‘‘It’s been hard not to think about pregnant or new mothers in other parts of the world right now, particularly those escaping war zones like Ukraine or facing horrendous distress in Afghanistan. My prayer is little girls around the world, grow up in a world of greater peace and security.’
Miss Forbes, pictured, will now take maternity leave and return to her post at some point next year. Fellow parliamentarians took to social media to congratulate the couple. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: ‘Lovely news. Welcome to the world, Naomi – and many congratulations, Kate and Ali.’
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser wrote: ‘Congratulations to you both. Great news!’
And Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘This is wonderful news, Kate. Huge congratulations!’
Deputy First Minister John Swinney will cover the Finance Secretary role during Miss Forbes’s absence.