Scotland’s top civil servant steps down

SCOTLAND’S top civil servant is stepping down to make way for a new Permanent Secretary ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election.

Sir Peter Housden said his successor will find the civil service in Scotland “in good heart” following a “vibrant and challenging” period in Scottish politics which saw his impartiality called into question by the SNP’s political opponents.

However, politicians continued to call his impartiality into question, including Sir Bernard Jenkin, Tory convener of Westminster’s P ubl ic Ad ministr ation Committee, who questioned whether he could ser ve another administration if the SNP is voted out in 2016.

Sir Peter maintained he had expressed no view on Scottish independence and said he leaves the top job in the Scottish civil service “with our values intact”.

He will step down as Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government at the end of June to pursue another position in public service.

“It has been a joy and a privilege to serve these five years,” he said.

“However, a person cannot do these jobs forever and I want to enable my successor to come into post in good time for the run-up to the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2016.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Sir Peter Housden has been an outstanding Permanent Secretary, leading the Scottish Government’s civil service team with distinction over the last five years.”

Sir Jeremy Heywood, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Civil Service, said: “He has been a great leader and strong supporter of the values of the civil service. I wish him all the best.”