Scottish Cabinet Reshuffle RECAP: Shirley-Anne Somerville replaces John Swinney at education | Nicola Sturgeon keeps Kate Forbes at finance | Humza Yousaf new Health Secretary | Angus Robertson and Keith Brown back in cabinet | Mairi Gougeon joins top team

After being re-elected as Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon is set to appoint cabinet ministers throughout today (May 19).
The First Minister is set to appoint cabinet ministers throughout today.The First Minister is set to appoint cabinet ministers throughout today.
The First Minister is set to appoint cabinet ministers throughout today.

The reshuffle is taking place after the SNP won a record fourth term in government at Holyrood, although Ms Sturgeon’s party just fell short of winning an overall majority at Holyrood.

The election in May also saw a number of senior politicians leave the Scottish Parliament, with Constitution Secretary Mike Russell, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham and Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell all choosing to step away from politics, while energy minister Paul Wheelhouse failed to be re-elected.

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Now, Ms Sturgeon will announce her cabinet for the next Scottish parliamentary term – and you can follow all the updates right here.

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Scottish Cabinet reshuffle LIVE: First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announces cabinet for next Scottish parliamentary term

Key Events

  • Nicola Sturgeon has announced her new Cabinet line-up
  • John Swinney to take charge of Scotland’s Covid recovery
  • Hyslop and Ewing to leave Scottish cabinet
  • Humza Yousaf becomes Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
  • Kate Forbes retains the finance brief

Recap: Two ministers leave as Sturgeon shuffles cabinet

Fiona Hyslop and Fergus Ewing step down from their posts.

Nicola Sturgeon pays tribute to Fergus Ewing

“Fergus worked tirelessly with and on behalf of Scotland’s rural sector over the past five years since the Brexit vote, fighting their corner at every turn.”

The Scotsman’s Conor Matchett writes: Scot Gov cabinet is going to include: FM, Swinney, Yousaf, Forbes, Matheson and Somerville as survivors from pre-election, Keith Brown, Shona Robison, Mairi Gougeon, and Angus Robertson as new additions.

Sturgeon speaks to Sommerville via zoom

Nicola Sturgeon revealed on Twitter that coronavirus measures meant she had to speak to Shirley-Anne Sommerville, who is currently Social Security Secretary, via Zoom.

The First Minister tweeted: “Covid resulting in a somewhat unorthodox Cabinet Secretary appointment today (tho watch this space for portfolio!!) – for @S_A_Somerville the Bute House walk has been replaced with a zoom call due to her having a family member in isolation!”

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