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Richard Lochhead to step down from Holyrood cabinet Alex Neil and Richard Lochhead step down from Holyrood cabinet
(about 11 hours later)
Richard Lochhead is to step down from the Scottish cabinet, BBC Scotland has learned. Richard Lochhead and Alex Neil are to step down from the Scottish cabinet, BBC Scotland has learned.
The rural affairs secretary signalled his decision to quit to Nicola Sturgeon as she prepares to reshuffle her team. Rural affairs secretary Mr Lochhead signalled his decision to quit ahead of a reshuffle to Holyrood's top team.
Mr Lochhead's wife Fiona disclosed late last year that she is suffering from breast cancer. Social justice minister Mr Neil has also written to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon telling her he will no longer continue as a minister.
SNP leader Ms Sturgeon, who won the Holyrood election last week, is due to make public her new cabinet shortly.
She is currently meeting senior SNP politicians at her official Bute House residence in Edinburgh.
Early arrivals
Finance Secretary John Swinney was first to arrive, followed by Transport Secretary Derek Mackay, who has been tipped for a promotion.
Health Secretary Shona Robison was also one of the early arrivals, while newly-elected SNP MSP Jeane Freeman has been tipped for a ministerial post.
News of Mr Lochhead's departure from the cabinet comes in the wake of his wife Fiona disclosing late last year that she was suffering from breast cancer.
The MSP for Moray said this had helped him come to the conclusion that he needed to "change the priorities" in his life.The MSP for Moray said this had helped him come to the conclusion that he needed to "change the priorities" in his life.
In a letter to the first minister, he added that it had been an "absolute privilege" to serve in the cabinet, first under Alex Salmond and now Ms Sturgeon. In a letter to the first minister, Mr Lochhead added that it had been an "absolute privilege" to serve in the cabinet, first under Alex Salmond and now Ms Sturgeon.
Nicola Sturgeon, in reply, said he left "a rich and enduring legacy of achievement".Nicola Sturgeon, in reply, said he left "a rich and enduring legacy of achievement".
She has also signalled privately that Mr Lochhead could be welcomed back into government at a future date.She has also signalled privately that Mr Lochhead could be welcomed back into government at a future date.
Farming areas
There had been speculation that Mr Lochhead might be moved from rural affairs.There had been speculation that Mr Lochhead might be moved from rural affairs.
It followed a long-running controversy over the failure to process the transfer of Common Agricultural Policy payments to farmers. This issue was thought to have caused the SNP electoral problems in farming areas.It followed a long-running controversy over the failure to process the transfer of Common Agricultural Policy payments to farmers. This issue was thought to have caused the SNP electoral problems in farming areas.
Audit Scotland is due to publish its report into the affair on Thursday.
One newly elected Liberal Democrat MSP, Mike Rumbles, had signalled his intention to seek to subject Mr Lochhead to a parliamentary vote if he were to continue in office - in effect, a vote of confidence.One newly elected Liberal Democrat MSP, Mike Rumbles, had signalled his intention to seek to subject Mr Lochhead to a parliamentary vote if he were to continue in office - in effect, a vote of confidence.
But the exchange of letters between Mr Lochhead and Ms Sturgeon makes no mention of that, stressing instead the former minister's achievements and the challenge posed by his wife's illness.But the exchange of letters between Mr Lochhead and Ms Sturgeon makes no mention of that, stressing instead the former minister's achievements and the challenge posed by his wife's illness.
Either way, the voluntary departure of Mr Lochhead gives Ms Sturgeon a little more room to reshuffle her cabinet. In his resignation letter to Ms Sturgeon, Mr Neil said: "I believe we have laid the basis for an ambitious programme of reform for the next five years, especially in relation to housing, planning and social security policy.
She will begin that formal process after being sworn in at the Court of Session, having won the official nomination to act as first minister following a vote at Holyrood. "However, I now intend to concentrate on my constituency and other work which cannot be easily done whilst serving in the cabinet."
Room to reshuffle
Ms Sturgeon said Mr Neil had served "with distinction" and leaves "a rich enduring legacy of achievements" across the portfolios he was responsible for.
She noted his role in taking equal marriage legislation through Holyrood and his work on inequalities, housing, planning and social security.
The departures give Ms Sturgeon more room to reshuffle her cabinet.
She is beginning that formal process after being sworn in at the Court of Session, having won the official nomination to act as first minister following a vote at Holyrood.
Ms Sturgeon has already signalled one change in advance.Ms Sturgeon has already signalled one change in advance.
She will split the portfolio of her deputy, John Swinney. For the session ahead, there will be a Cabinet Secretary in charge of the economy and another handling finance, including tax and welfare.She will split the portfolio of her deputy, John Swinney. For the session ahead, there will be a Cabinet Secretary in charge of the economy and another handling finance, including tax and welfare.