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Henry new minister for education | Henry new minister for education |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Hugh Henry is to succeed Peter Peacock as education minister, the Scottish Executive has confirmed. | Hugh Henry is to succeed Peter Peacock as education minister, the Scottish Executive has confirmed. |
Mr Peacock, 54, resigned on health grounds after receiving medical advice for a condition akin to a mild stroke. He remains a Highlands and Islands MSP. | |
Mr Henry, who has been deputy justice minister for the past four years, is replaced by Johann Lamont. | |
Labour MSP Des McNulty gets her job as deputy communities minister, a post he was sacked from three years ago. | |
The new education minister paid tribute to Mr Peacock and said it was an honour to take over from him. | |
The 54-year-old, a former teacher of economics and business studies, said there was no room for complacency in education. | The 54-year-old, a former teacher of economics and business studies, said there was no room for complacency in education. |
"I passionately believe that every child in Scotland, whoever they are, wherever they come from, should be given the best opportunities in life - and that starts in the schools," Mr Henry said. | |
I have been experiencing a prolonged period of poor health Peter Peacock | I have been experiencing a prolonged period of poor health Peter Peacock |
"We can never stand still, and there are still too many children in this country who don't get the best possible start in life." | "We can never stand still, and there are still too many children in this country who don't get the best possible start in life." |
Mr Henry, Labour MSP for Paisley South, said his top priority would be the completion of the schools building programme. | |
"I have been absolutely stunned by the quality of the new schools I am seeing in my own area of Renfrewshire," he said. | "I have been absolutely stunned by the quality of the new schools I am seeing in my own area of Renfrewshire," he said. |
"I want to make sure that follows through to its completion - I don't want anyone, whoever they are, to do anything that will destabilise that building programme." | "I want to make sure that follows through to its completion - I don't want anyone, whoever they are, to do anything that will destabilise that building programme." |
In his resignation letter to First Minister Jack McConnell, Mr Peacock said: "As you are aware, I have been experiencing a prolonged period of poor health. | In his resignation letter to First Minister Jack McConnell, Mr Peacock said: "As you are aware, I have been experiencing a prolonged period of poor health. |
"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." |
'Longest serving' | 'Longest serving' |
In reply, Mr McConnell praised 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 reply, Mr McConnell praised 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". |
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." |
Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish National Party education spokeswoman, thanked the Highlands and Islands list MSP for his contribution to Scottish education. | Fiona Hyslop, the Scottish National Party education spokeswoman, thanked the Highlands and Islands list MSP for his contribution to Scottish education. |
"Peter Peacock has been the longest serving education minister under devolution and well respected in education circles and in the parliament," she said. | "Peter Peacock has been the longest serving education minister under devolution and well respected in education circles and in the parliament," she said. |
The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association said his departure was "a significant loss for the education community in Scotland". | The Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association said his departure was "a significant loss for the education community in Scotland". |
The Educational Institute for Scotland said that under Mr Peacock's leadership, Scottish education had moved forward significantly and with a high degree of consensus. | The Educational Institute for Scotland said that under Mr Peacock's leadership, Scottish education had moved forward significantly and with a high degree of consensus. |
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