NEIL Gray has been appointed Scotland's new Health Secretary, it has been confirmed.
Humza Yousaf launched a reshuffle on Thursday after Michael Matheson resigned from the health secretary post after a row over an £11,000 iPad bill.
Gray was among several ministers seen heading into St Andrew's House in Edinburgh while the reshuffle was underway.
READ MORE: See the changes: Humza Yousaf reshuffles Scottish Government
Following the appointments, the First Minister said he was proud that the new raft of appointments meant his Cabinet is now world-leading due to the number of women serving in posts.
We told how Matheson resigned ahead of a probe into whether or not he broke the ministerial code by claiming thousands of pounds towards the data bill.
The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that a probe into Matheson's claims around the £11k bill had found "damning new evidence", but in his resignation statement, the SNP MSP claimed not to have yet seen the report.
Gray, who was a key figure in Yousaf’s campaign to become first minister last year, was one of the most prominent moves in the cabinet reshuffle.
Mairi McAllan will become the new Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero, and Energy Secretary.
Fiona Hyslop is 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.
The vacancy there 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 is promoted into the Government to become the new international development minister, becoming the first woman of colour to hold a post in the Scottish Government.
The First Minister said: “The new, green economy is a massive economic opportunity for Scotland. If we grasp it, we can help the world tackle climate change while delivering well-paid jobs and sustainable growth in Scotland for generations to come.
READ MORE: MSPs approve council tax freeze amid Westminster funding crunch
"That’s why we will now bring these two portfolios together, and Màiri McAllan is the right person to drive it forward.
“As Economy Secretary, Neil Gray has been widely praised for resetting the relationship with business.
"Now at the helm of the NHS – our most precious institution – and social care, Neil will be charged with continuing its recovery from Covid, driving down waiting times, and reforming the service to improve outcomes for patients."
Yousaf said he was elevating transport to a Cabinet-level post "given the importance of the issues within this portfolio".
"Fiona Hyslop is one of the most experienced and accomplished ministers in government," he added.
"I am deeply proud of the fact this means Cabinet will become world-leading with seven out of ten women in it
“I am proud to bring the first-ever woman of colour into government in Scotland – I believe another sign of the progress we are making as a nation, with the appointment of Kaukab Stewart as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development.
"Kaukab takes this role on from Christina McKelvie, who will now report directly to me as Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy.
“And I am delighted to welcome Jim Fairlie to government, who brings a wealth of business and rural knowledge to his new role as Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity.”
READ MORE: Newsnight: Ex-Tony Blair adviser blasts Labour for ditching £28bn green pledge
“These new appointments reflect this government’s priorities and the missions that drive them – equality, opportunity and community – and I look forward to working with them as we continue to deliver for the people of Scotland.”
The Scottish Parliament will be asked to approve the new appointments of Hyslop, Stewart, and Fairlie after recess.
It's understood they will serve as Cabinet Secretary-designate and ministers-designate until their appointments are approved by MSPs and King Charles.
Holyrood is in recess from February 10 to 18.
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