New Scottish First Minister, Humza Yousaf, has appointed two Ayrshire MSPs to junior ministerial roles as the new-look SNP Government takes shape.
In a surprise move, Mr Yousaf appointed Siobhian Brown, the MSP for Ayr, to handle the Victims and Community Safety brief.
Ms Brown pledged her support to Kate Forbes, one of Yousaf’s rivals in the recent SNP leadership election, but she will serve the First Minister in her new role and report to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Angela Constance.
Ms Brown said: “I am honoured to accept an offer from the First Minister to join the Scottish Government as Minister for Victims and Community Safety.
“I understand the critical importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of our community.
“I am fully committed to upholding the highest standards of public service, and I pledge to work tirelessly to address the needs and concerns of victims of crime and their families.”
She added: “I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity to serve the people of Scotland in this capacity and I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders and my colleagues in the Scottish Government to advance our shared goals of creating a safe and just society for all."
Also handed a junior ministerial role is Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley MSP, Elena Whitham, who backed Yousaf in his leadership bid.
Ms Whitham succeeded another leadership contender, Ash Regan, as Minister for Community Safety back in November.
She will now take on the Scottish Government’s Drugs and Alcohol Policy.
Ms Whitham said on social media she was “honoured” with the appointment, adding: “Having direct worked experience supporting people dealing with addictions and trauma and being a family member, this is an area that has my absolute commitment.”
The new Scottish Government’s Ministerial team is as follows; First Minister Humza Yousaf, Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Elena Whitham, Minister for Independence, Jamie Hepburn; Minister for Cabinet and Parliamentary Business, George Adam, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Shona Robison, Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance, Tom Arthur; Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning, Joe FitzPatrick, Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care, Michael Matheson, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto; Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, Jenny Gilruth, Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, Natalie Don; Minister for Higher and Further Education; and Minister for Veterans, Graeme Dey, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition, Màiri McAllan, Minister for Transport, Kevin Stewart; Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, Neil Gray; Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, Richard Lochhead, Minister for Energy, Gillian Martin, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity (who will also work alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Just Transition) Lorna Slater; Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights (who will also work alongside the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice), Patrick Harvie, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson; Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Christina McKelvie, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees, Emma Roddick; Minister for Housing, Paul McLennan, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Angela Constance, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Siobhian Brown.
A more detailed breakdown of ministerial responsibilities will be confirmed in due course.
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