Scotland’s transport minister Kevin Stewart quits resulting from poor psychological well being

Scotland’s transport minister has resigned from the Scottish authorities resulting from poor psychological well being.

Kevin Stewart tendered his resignation to First Minister Humza Yousaf on Tuesday.

The MSP for Aberdeen Central admitted having bouts of poor psychological well being since final October, which returned over the past week.

In his letter, Mr Stewart, 55, stated he was quitting from the submit with a “heavy heart” however added that being a part of the Scottish authorities had been the “greatest honour” of his life.

He defined: “Since final October I’ve had bouts of poor psychological well being, with a low ebb in early December of final 12 months.

“Over the last week or so I have once again been feeling unwell and I feel that I can no longer put in the hours required to serve both my constituents and hold ministerial office, whilst also trying to maintain good mental health.

“I do hope that you simply perceive.”

Mr Stewart pledged to proceed to serve his constituents and can help the Scottish authorities from the backbenches.

The politician, who beforehand served as depute chief of Aberdeen City Council, was first elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2011.

Mr Stewart was appointed minister for native authorities, housing and planning in 2016 below former first minister Nicola Sturgeon. He then grew to become the minister for psychological wellbeing and social care in 2021 earlier than being handed the transport transient again in March when Mr Yousaf took the reins.

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Mr Yousaf stated he was “very sorry” to obtain Mr Stewart’s letter however understood his causes for resigning.

The first minister stated: “Many people underestimate the pressure on ministers and I understand why you have felt the need to leave government to concentrate on your mental health and much-loved constituency.

“You depart with a report you might be happy with. As nicely as taking over transport within the final two months the place you invested in buses and centered on enhancing the place on ferries, your earlier roles have benefitted out of your experience and expertise.”

The first minister noted how in his own time as health secretary, he had worked with Mr Stewart and highlighted his “laborious work” on the forthcoming psychological well being and wellbeing plan in addition to efforts to spice up wages for social care employees.

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Mr Yousaf added that whereas native authorities, housing and planning minister, Mr Stewart had “changed how we tackle homelessness”, in addition to working to spice up the provision of reasonably priced housing.

“I know what a hard-working, loyal and dedicated minister you have been in your eight years of service,” he added.

“That is much valued and appreciated by me and across government, and I hope you will feel able to serve again in the future.

“Personally, I’ll miss you in authorities and I do know you can be of giant profit to our backbenches, inside our nice celebration, and can stay a supply of counsel for a lot of, myself included.”