The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Robison quits health secretary post as Sturgeon reveals reshuffle.
Dundee East MSP who was under intense pressure steps down
Under-fire Health Secretary Shona Robison resigned as Nicola Sturgeon revealed the biggest Cabinet overhaul since the SNP took office.
The Dundee East MSP was under intense pressure for letting the financial crisis at her home health board NHS Tayside spiral on her watch.
In an emotional letter to her friend and boss, Ms Robison cited a health scare and the death of her parents as factors in leaving the post after three and a half years.
Ms Robison has also been heavily criticised for presiding over GP shortages and the slump in waiting times for patients.
As part of the SNP’S most significant Cabinet reshuffle to date, the first minister announced former health board chief Jeane Freeman replaces Ms Robison and rising star Humza Yousaf enters the Cabinet as justice secretary.
Ms Robison said it had been an “immense privilege” to serve as health secretary, “albeit at times very challenging and all-consuming”.
In a deeply personal account of her reasons for resigning, she said: “As you know this last year has been particularly challenging for me personally, losing both my parents, having a health scare of my own, and some big changes in my personal life. I thank you for your support during these difficult times.
“I feel that I have reached a point in my life just now where I would be best to step down from a role in government.”
In 2016, the mother of one split from her Dundee East MP husband Stewart Hosie, shortly before tabloid newspaper reports emerged about his private life.
Ms Robison’s “health scare” is understood to relate to being recalled for a breast screening at Ninewells.
In an interview with Holyrood Magazine earlier this month, she described going through “all the fears”, before being cleared.
The number of Cabinet roles has gone up from 10 to 12, with Finance Secretary Derek Mackay taking on responsibility for the economy and a new beefed up role of transport, infrastructure and connectivity for ex-justice secretary Michael Matheson.
Keith Brown was removed as economy secretary to focus on delivering independence and new policies as the SNP’S deputy leader.
Ms Sturgeon said her new Cabinet “brings fresh talent to the Scottish Government and ensures that we are fully equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities facing the country in the months and years ahead”.
Scottish Tory Jackson Carlaw said: “There may well have been a few ministerial changes.
“But this is an SNP government that is tired, completely out of ideas and all over the place on key issues.”
gmcpherson@thecourier.co.uk