BBCcom_Content_Index_for_November_1_2024.txt
Former_minister_Kevin_Stewart_to_stand_down_from_parliament_over_health_issues.txt
Ex-minister to stand down from Scottish Parliament over health issues4 days agoShareSaveShareSaveGetty ImagesKevin Stewart has been the MSP for Aberdeen Central since 2011 Former Scottish government minister Kevin Stewart is why is it called blackjackto stand down from parliament, citing ill health. The SNP MSP announced he would not stand as a candidate at the Holyrood election next May. The Aberdeen Central representative said he was not "100% physically fit" after being off work over the summer.First Minister John Swinney said he would be "very sorry" to lose the MSP from the SNP parliamentary group. Stewart, a former transport minister, stepped down from the government in June 2023, citing poor mental health. 'Great friend and ally' In a letter to Swinney, he said: "As you know prior to recess I was off work for four weeks with an illness that I found very hard to shift and while I am feeling much better I am still not 100% physically fit."I realise that the forthcoming election campaign is vital for the SNP and for the cause of independence and I feel that I may not be able to give the full commitment that a candidate needs to give."Therefore, I have decided not stand for Holyrood in 2026 to ensure that Aberdeen Central can select an SNP candidate that can be fully focused on retaining and representing this fabulous constituency." Stewart added that he was "proud" of his work as an MSP and that he fully supported the first minister. Swinney described the MSP as a "great friend and ally".He added: "I value enormously his contribution but he must put his health first. He has my warmest good wishes." Stewart is among about 40 MSPs who have announced they are standing down at the next election - a record in the history of the devolved parliament. He was first elected to Holyrood in 2011 after serving as deputy leader of Aberdeen City Council.He was appointed as local government minister by then-first minister Nicola Sturgeon in 2016, and as the minister for mental wellbeing and social care five years later.He was then given the transport brief by Sturgeon's successor, Humza Yousaf, in March 2023.In October 2022, Stewart denied allegations in the Scottish Sun that he had been thrown out of an Aberdeen nightclub after being involved in an altercation with a man while the SNP conference was being held in the city.Transport minister quits due to poor mental healthScotlandScottish ParliamentSNP (Scottish National Party)
