Neil Gray appointed new health secretary

It follows the resignation of Michael Matheson

Neil Gray's appointment was part of a cabinet reshuffle by the First Minister
Author: Kieran BrandPublished 8th Feb 2024

The first minister has appointed Neil Gray as Scotland's new health secretary, after Michael Matheson quit the post.

Mr Gray, who had been the wellbeing economy, fair work and energy secretary, was one of those moved in a cabinet reshuffle.

The former health secretary quit ahead of the publication of a report into an £11,000 data roaming charges bill on his Parliamentary iPad.

While Michael Matheson initially insisted there had been no personal use of the device, he later told MSPs his sons had used it as a hotspot so they could watch football during a family holiday.

The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body informed him on Thursday that he would shortly be issued with a copy of their report.

Mr Matheson said he was stepping down "to ensure this does not become a distraction to taking forward the Government's agenda".

Some other cabinet changes include Mairi McAllan becoming the Wellbeing economy, Net Zero and Energy Secretary.

And Fiona Hyslop has been promoted from transport minister to transport secretary, while Christina McKelvie, who had held the international development brief, takes over as the Scottish Government's new alcohol and drugs policy minister.

That vacancy arose after Elena Whitham quit the Government earlier this week for health reasons, revealing she is being treated for post-traumatic stress.

Meanwhile, Kaukab Stewart has become the new international development minister, making her the first woman of colour to hold a post in the Scottish Government.

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