This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-30834555

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Top Scots civil servant Sir Peter Housden to step down Top Scots civil servant Sir Peter Housden to step down
(less than a minute earlier)
Scotland's top civil servant, Sir Peter Housden, is leaving to make way for a successor ahead of the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.Scotland's top civil servant, Sir Peter Housden, is leaving to make way for a successor ahead of the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.
Sir Peter said the civil service was in "good heart" following a "challenging" time which saw his impartiality questioned by the SNP's opponents.Sir Peter said the civil service was in "good heart" following a "challenging" time which saw his impartiality questioned by the SNP's opponents.
He will step down as permanent secretary to the Scottish government at the end of June, after five years.He will step down as permanent secretary to the Scottish government at the end of June, after five years.
The search for his replacement will begin shortly.The search for his replacement will begin shortly.
Sir Peter, who hopes to continue in public service, said: "It has been a joy and a privilege to serve these five years.Sir Peter, who hopes to continue in public service, said: "It has been a joy and a privilege to serve these five years.
"However, a person cannot do these jobs forever and I want to enable my successor to come into post in good time for the run-up to the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2016.""However, a person cannot do these jobs forever and I want to enable my successor to come into post in good time for the run-up to the Scottish Parliament elections in May 2016."
'Challenging period''Challenging period'
He added: "I am confident that my successor will find the civil service in Scotland in good heart.He added: "I am confident that my successor will find the civil service in Scotland in good heart.
"This has been a vibrant and challenging period. We have come through with our values intact, with strong capability and in a spirit of partnership across Scotland, and with the UK government and its agencies.""This has been a vibrant and challenging period. We have come through with our values intact, with strong capability and in a spirit of partnership across Scotland, and with the UK government and its agencies."
Sir Peter was cleared of a breach of the civil service code over an internal briefing advising that the Scottish independence referendum debate had left "the status quo . . . lost in the mists of time".Sir Peter was cleared of a breach of the civil service code over an internal briefing advising that the Scottish independence referendum debate had left "the status quo . . . lost in the mists of time".
In 2011, Scotland's opposition parties complained to the head of the UK civil service about Sir Peter, with Liberal Democrat Tavish Scott at the time accusing him of "rapidly becoming the chief cheerleader" for independence.In 2011, Scotland's opposition parties complained to the head of the UK civil service about Sir Peter, with Liberal Democrat Tavish Scott at the time accusing him of "rapidly becoming the chief cheerleader" for independence.
But the then head of the UK Civil Service, Sir Gus O'Donnell, said it was "right and proper" that civil servants should act to support their elected ministers, in this case the devolved Scottish government.But the then head of the UK Civil Service, Sir Gus O'Donnell, said it was "right and proper" that civil servants should act to support their elected ministers, in this case the devolved Scottish government.
Constitutional debateConstitutional debate
Sir Peter himself has maintained he expressed no view on Scottish independence.Sir Peter himself has maintained he expressed no view on Scottish independence.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Sir Peter Housden has been an outstanding permanent secretary, leading the Scottish government's civil service team with distinction over the last five years."Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: "Sir Peter Housden has been an outstanding permanent secretary, leading the Scottish government's civil service team with distinction over the last five years."
Sir Jeremy Heywood, head of the UK civil service, added: "I would like to thank Peter for his tremendous work as the permanent secretary for the Scottish government, in particular in leading the Scottish civil service through a challenging programme of constitutional debate and change."Sir Jeremy Heywood, head of the UK civil service, added: "I would like to thank Peter for his tremendous work as the permanent secretary for the Scottish government, in particular in leading the Scottish civil service through a challenging programme of constitutional debate and change."