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| Ill health forces minister's exit | Ill health forces minister's exit |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Education Minister Peter Peacock has resigned for health reasons, the Scottish Executive has confirmed. | Education Minister Peter Peacock has resigned for health reasons, the Scottish Executive has confirmed. |
| An executive spokesman said Mr Peacock had been receiving medical advice for a condition likened to a mild stroke. | An executive spokesman said Mr Peacock had been receiving medical advice for a condition likened to a mild stroke. |
| His successor is expected to be announced later, the spokesman added. The 54-year-old Highlands and Islands MSP is married with two adult sons. | His successor is expected to be announced later, the spokesman added. The 54-year-old Highlands and Islands MSP is married with two adult sons. |
| Mr Peacock said a sustained period of ill health had prompted his decision to stand down. | Mr Peacock said a sustained period of ill health had prompted his decision to stand down. |
| In his resignation letter to First Minister Jack McConnell, Mr Peacock said: "As I advised you over the weekend, it is with great regret that I have had to step down as minister for education and young people with immediate effect. | In his resignation letter to First Minister Jack McConnell, Mr Peacock said: "As I advised you over the weekend, it is with great regret that I have had to step down as minister for education and young people with immediate effect. |
| "As you are aware, I have been experiencing a prolonged period of poor health. | "As you are aware, I have been experiencing a prolonged period of poor health. |
| He had decided it's only fair for him and his family to stand down from what most people would accept is a demanding role as a cabinet minister Executive spokesman | |
| "It has become increasingly apparent that a ministerial lifestyle is not conducive to either promoting or maintaining my health and following further recent difficulties and advice, I have concluded that I must give my health priority attention." | "It has become increasingly apparent that a ministerial lifestyle is not conducive to either promoting or maintaining my health and following further recent difficulties and advice, I have concluded that I must give my health priority attention." |
| In reply, Mr McConnell told Mr Peacock: "I am extremely sorry that you have had to take this decision but entirely understand your reasons for doing do." | |
| The first minister went on to praise Mr Peacock's tenure in education, saying the education system was in good shape, morale was high and the number of new teachers entering the profession was "extremely encouraging". | |
| "In secondary schools last year more than 90% of pupils were awarded a Standard Grade or equivalent in English and maths," he said. | |
| "Perhaps most impressively of all, our 15-year-olds are amongst the top performing in the world for maths, science and literacy. | |
| "These are significant achievements of which you can be justifiably proud." | |
| 'Risk factors' | |
| An executive spokesman said: "I am told he has been experiencing a series of episodes which leave him feeling unwell and with symptoms akin to having had a minor stroke. | An executive spokesman said: "I am told he has been experiencing a series of episodes which leave him feeling unwell and with symptoms akin to having had a minor stroke. |
| "The condition is ongoing, he had received medical advice, and the advice is to seek to reduce the risk factors of a major stroke. | "The condition is ongoing, he had received medical advice, and the advice is to seek to reduce the risk factors of a major stroke. |
| "He had decided it's only fair for him and his family to stand down from what most people would accept is a demanding role as a cabinet minister." | "He had decided it's only fair for him and his family to stand down from what most people would accept is a demanding role as a cabinet minister." |
| The spokesman said he understood Mr Peacock intended to continue as an MSP. | |
| Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said: "We are sorry to learn that Mr Peacock has had to resign on health grounds and on a personal level we wish him well." | Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie said: "We are sorry to learn that Mr Peacock has had to resign on health grounds and on a personal level we wish him well." |