A new poll on the SNP leadership contest has put Kate Forbes ahead of Humza Yousaf and Ash Regan as the choice of members of the public for the next first minister.

The poll, for Channel 4 by Ipsos, released ahead of the second televised debate with the three candidates, put Forbes, the Finance Secretary eight points ahead of Yousaf, the Health Secretary.

The poll canvassed a sample of more than 1500 people across Scotland aged 16 and over between March 6 and 7.

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It found 32% favoured Forbes against 24% for Yousaf with Regan on 8%.

When only SNP voters at the last Scottish Election were asked, it puts Yousaf and Forbes neck and neck with the latter slightly ahead.

Amongst SNP voters from the last Scottish Parliament election, one in three (33%) said Yousaf would make the best First Minister, while another 32% said the same of Forbes.

However, one in four polled said none of the prospective candidates would make the best First Minister.

Channel 4 News is hosting the special debate lasting 30 minutes, from Glasgow tonight hosted by presenter, Krishnan Guru-Murthy.

In the first debate, on STV, the candidates attacked on another over their record in government, their plans to achieve independence and on progressive policies like equal marriage and gender recognition reform.

Forbes said Yousaf had not been a success as transport minister, justice secretary or health secretary while Yousaf said a government under Forbes would be a lurch to the right.

Regan said both the others were promising more of the same on independence and said elections should be used as a mandate to start negotiations with the UK Government.

Voting opens next week, March 13 with a result due two weeks later.