Richard Lochhead earns ministerial post as Sturgeon reshuffles the pack
Richard Lochhead has been appointed Scotland’s new universities minister after Nicola Sturgeon was forced to axe her original choice over a transphobic row.
The Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin – a former college lecturer – was given the job in June, but quickly axed when controversial contents of a blog she penned were made public. It included comments about transgender people, as well as black and Jewish restaurant customers in the US.
Mr Lochhead, the MSP for Moray and a former rural
affairs secretary, said he was “honoured and privileged” to return to office after stepping down for family reasons two years ago.
He added: “The further education, higher education and science role is an exciting opportunity, not just to help shape one of the underpinning economic strengths of Scotland, but also deliver on our ambitions for a fairer country.
“We owe that to our young people and our adult learners.
“I look forward to getting to grips with this challenging and important agenda.”
His appointment will be ratified by MSPS when the Scottish Parliament returns from recess next week.
Ms Sturgeon said Mr Lochhead brought “significant experience to the role”.
“As a minister he will work to deliver our ambitious agenda to widen access to education,” the First Minister said.