Scottish Government transport minister Graeme Dey has resigned ‘for health-related reasons’.
Mr Dey was appointed to the role following the 2021 Holyrood elections, having served as minister for parliamentary business and veterans from 2018.
Jenny Gilruth, minister for culture, Europe and international development, will replace him.
Writing to first minister Nicola Sturgeon, he said: ‘I have always prided myself on being able to give 100% to any task I am charged with.
‘Regrettably, despite my continuing passion, I find myself unable now to give this hugely important ministerial role everything it rightly requires and deserves. It is therefore with regret that I am writing to resign from office as Minister for Transport in the Scottish Government.’
Mr Dey speaking at Road Expo Scotland last month
Ms Sturgeon said: ‘This is the right decision for Graeme to reach at this time, and he leaves government with my very best wishes. He has been a highly effective minister and steps down with many achievements to his name.
'As transport minister, Graeme played a huge part in ensuring the success of COP26. He has also delivered concessionary bus travel for under-22s, set out plans to reduce car travel to meet climate targets, and prepared the ground for the return of Scotland’s railway to public ownership.'
Jenny Gilruth
David Clarke, Railway Industry Association (RIA) technical director and RIA Scotland lead, said: 'The Railway Industry Association and our members would like to thank minister Graeme Dey for his work as transport minister over the past year, particularly in recognising the importance of the rail supply sector in improving Scotland’s railway, and the launch of the recent Second Strategic Transport Projects Review.
Ms Sturgeon described the appointment of Ms Gilruth and that of Neil Gray as her replacement as 'a vote of confidence in a new generation of ministerial talent'.
Ms Gilruth said: 'The transport portfolio is an exciting opportunity to not just shape the infrastructure of our country but to also help Scotland become a world leader in achieving our goal to become net zero by 2045.'
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