Kate Forbes could be back in the Scottish Government (Image: Getty)

       Humza Yousaf could be on the verge of being forced to make a humiliating decision to bring back his deadliest rival into the Scottish Government even when he knows she is plotting to have him ousted.

       After being blindsided this morning by the resignation of his disgraced Health Secretary Michael Matheson, who left as a result of trying to bill the taxpayer for his ￡11,000 in roaming charges for his iPad, Yousaf has been left with few options.

       Scottish Opposition parties have noted that the "SNP have run out of any talent" and Mr Yousaf is now desperately looking for a formidable replacement for a key portfolio.

       Now there is speculation that the Scottish nationalist First Minister will be forced to turn to former Finance secretary Kate Forbes who he narrowly defeated in the party's leadership contest last year.

       Forbes was immediately sidelined by Yousaf after what turned out to be a bitter contest with his allies attacking her Christian values.

       READ MORE: Humiliation for Humza Yousaf as Health Secretary quits over ￡11k iPad Bill

       Matheson tells MSPs he wanted to protect family

       Mr Yousaf has been tarnished by the legal inquiries surrounding his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, who was a previous Scottish Health secretary herself and handpicked Yousaf to be her successor.

       With SNP support collapsing in the polls and his government in Edinburgh struggling, Yousaf's position has come under question.

       Supporters of Ms Forbes are understood to be planning a coup to oust him if the general election results are bad later this year. Now, according to the Scottish Daily Express, there is speculation that Forbes could be lined up for the Health Secretary job.

       Michael Matheson tried to blame his sons for the roaming charges (Image: Getty)

       Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info

       Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading

       Start 30-day

       FREE trial

       The speculation has come after a shamed Matheson quit today following months of pressure. At one point the former Health secretary had tried to blame his sons for the roaming charges which he billed to the taxpayer.

       DON'T MISS

       Powered by

       SNP's 'true, rotten colours' exposed by two key findings at Covid inquiry

       656 Comments

       Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign

       154 Comments

       'That's why she cried!' Andrew Neil tears apart Nicola Sturgeon over 'cover-up'

       560 Comments

       Jacob Rees-Mogg and Jeremy Hunt lose seats in 'Red Wall moment' countryside poll shock

       1115 Comments

       Michael Gove refuses to enter into ￡1k Rwanda bet: 'I don't have that sort of money'

       45 Comments

       Fury as Welsh Labour pay millions in taxpayer cash to 20mph rollout supporter

       488 Comments

       Meet the country's newest life peers - including the youngest ever to be nominated

       110 Comments

       Humza Yousaf under fire as SNP allows civil servants to work abroad for 28 days each year

       84 Comments

       The Tories risk leaving Labour with no money left after the election

       120 Comments

       Civil servants miss 'alarming' number of work days over long-term health issues

       110 Comments

       Lee Anderson reveals real reason for Keir Starmer's U-turn on Lords in savage swipe

       126 Comments

       Rishi Sunak's replacement predicted by supercomputer - and its bad news for Boris Johnson

       230 Comments

       ‘Utter humiliation' for Humza Yousaf as SNP Health Secretary quits over ￡11k iPad Bill

       329 Comments

       Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'

       38 Comments

       Nicola Sturgeon to face major Covid inquiry grilling today after bombshell claims emerge

       972 Comments

       Nicola Sturgeon torn apart by Question Time audience member in brutal inquiry takedown

       361 Comments

       Humza Yousaf skewered over Scottish independence after fresh Brexit swipe

       362 Comments

       POLL: Do you feel sorry for Nicola Sturgeon?

       509 Comments

       'Didn't believe her for a minute!' Top Tory savages Nicola Sturgeon over Covid tears

       73 Comments

       SNP's 'true, rotten colours' exposed by two key findings at Covid inquiry

       656 Comments

       Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign

       154 Comments

       'That's why she cried!' Andrew Neil tears apart Nicola Sturgeon over 'cover-up'

       560 Comments

       Jacob Rees-Mogg and Jeremy Hunt lose seats in 'Red Wall moment' countryside poll shock

       1115 Comments

       Michael Gove refuses to enter into ￡1k Rwanda bet: 'I don't have that sort of money'

       45 Comments

       Fury as Welsh Labour pay millions in taxpayer cash to 20mph rollout supporter

       488 Comments

       Meet the country's newest life peers - including the youngest ever to be nominated

       110 Comments

       Humza Yousaf under fire as SNP allows civil servants to work abroad for 28 days each year

       84 Comments

       The Tories risk leaving Labour with no money left after the election

       120 Comments

       Civil servants miss 'alarming' number of work days over long-term health issues

       110 Comments

       Lee Anderson reveals real reason for Keir Starmer's U-turn on Lords in savage swipe

       126 Comments

       Rishi Sunak's replacement predicted by supercomputer - and its bad news for Boris Johnson

       230 Comments

       ‘Utter humiliation' for Humza Yousaf as SNP Health Secretary quits over ￡11k iPad Bill

       329 Comments

       Humza Yousaf accused of carrying on Nicola Sturgeon's 'addiction to cover-up and secrecy'

       38 Comments

       Nicola Sturgeon to face major Covid inquiry grilling today after bombshell claims emerge

       972 Comments

       Nicola Sturgeon torn apart by Question Time audience member in brutal inquiry takedown

       361 Comments

       Humza Yousaf skewered over Scottish independence after fresh Brexit swipe

       362 Comments

       POLL: Do you feel sorry for Nicola Sturgeon?

       509 Comments

       'Didn't believe her for a minute!' Top Tory savages Nicola Sturgeon over Covid tears

       73 Comments

       SNP's 'true, rotten colours' exposed by two key findings at Covid inquiry

       656 Comments

       Tories urged to bring Boris Johnson back for 'game-changing' general election campaign

       154 Comments

       'That's why she cried!' Andrew Neil tears apart Nicola Sturgeon over 'cover-up'

       560 Comments

       Jacob Rees-Mogg and Jeremy Hunt lose seats in 'Red Wall moment' countryside poll shock

       1115 Comments

       Michael Gove refuses to enter into ￡1k Rwanda bet: 'I don't have that sort of money'

       45 Comments

       Matheson said: "I am conscious that this process will conclude in the coming weeks.

       "I have still not received the findings of their review, however, it is in the best interest of myself and the Government for me to now step down to ensure this does not become a distraction to taking forward the Government’s agenda."

       Related articles Odds of Reform UK pulling off by-election victory suddenly slashed Keir Starmer 'running scared' of anti-Israel mob as he pulls out of event MPs demand Archbishop to face questions over Church's illegal migrant scandal EU 'attempting to wreck UK economy' with 'hypocritical' challenge to strike laws Lee Anderson's savage swipe at Labour's Lords U-turn as decision explained