A junior Scottish Government minister has resigned from his post, citing health-related reasons for his departure.
The minister confirmed he is stepping back from his government role to focus on his wellbeing, in a move that caught many at Holyrood by surprise. While full details around the nature of his health concerns have not been made public, the decision appears to have been made on personal medical grounds rather than any political controversy.
Resignations of this kind are relatively rare in Scottish politics, with most ministerial departures tied to policy disputes or political pressure. This one, however, carries a more human dimension, serving as a reminder that those in public life face the same personal challenges as anyone else.
The Scottish Government is expected to move quickly to fill the vacancy left by his exit, with First Minister John Swinney likely to reshuffle responsibilities among existing ministers or appoint a replacement in the coming days. The government will be keen to avoid any disruption to the portfolios the outgoing minister was responsible for.
Colleagues across the chamber have wished the minister well in his recovery, with messages of support coming from both within the SNP and from opposition benches. That kind of cross-party goodwill is not always common at Holyrood, but health-related departures tend to bring out a more sympathetic tone in Scottish political circles.
The resignation adds to a period of change within the Scottish Government as it continues to navigate a challenging political landscape, dealing with budget pressures, public service demands and ongoing scrutiny from opposition parties.
For now, the focus from those close to the minister is firmly on his health and recovery rather than any political fallout from the move.