Sturgeon shuffles the pack as big SNP names are out
NICOLA STURGEON has reshuffled her cabinet with some high-profile ministers losing their positions.
Shona Robison, long time friend of Ms Sturgeon, leaves the Health Secretary job.
Ms Robison had been under intense pressure over failure to meet waiting time targets and faced almost weekly calls from Labour, mostly, to resign or for the First Minister to sack her.
Ms Robsion cited developments in her personal life as the reason she wanted to step down, in a letter to Ms Sturgeon.
She said the last year had been difficult, losing both her parents and in starting a new relationship.
She added she wanted to “focus on those closest to me”.
Keith Brown also stepped down as Economy Secretary, stating he wanted to focus on his new post as SNP deputy leader, despite recently stating he was confident he could combine both roles.
Angela Constance is also out as Equalities secretary, she also wrote to Ms Sturgeon stating she was stepping down.
Ms Sturgeon created two new cabinet posts taking the number of Cabinet Secretaries to 12.
There are five new Cabinet Secretaries. The vacancies meant promotions for some junior ministers, a reward for recent performance.
A big winner is Humza Yousaf, who moves from transport to Justice Secretary in a swap with Michael Matheson, who remains in cabinet and adds infrastructure and connectivity to the portfolio.
Jeane Freeman is rewarded for her handling of the Social Security Bill and setting up the new Scottish social security system with a promotion to Health Secretary.
Shirley-Ann Somerville takes up a post as Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People.
Aileen Campbell becomes Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government and Michael Russell re-joins cabinet as Secretary for Business and Constitutional Relations
Ms Sturgeon said: “With the impact of Brexit on our economy and wider society, it is right that the issues it presents are fully reflected at Cabinet level, while the delivery of a new Scottish social security system also requires a voice at the Cabinet table.”
Announcements on the junior ministerial team will be made today, with many back benchers who have impressed expected to be promoted to new roles.