Gray replaces Matheson as Scottish health secretary

Neil Gray has been appointed health secretary in Scotland, following the resignation of Michael Matheson ahead of a report into a £11,000 data roaming bill.

According to reports, Matheson initially charged the bill to his parliamentary iPad, following a family holiday in Morocco, insisting the device was used for work. Matheson then blamed an out-of-date Sim card and agreed to pay the money back.

In his resignation letter to First Minister Humza Yousaf, Matheson said that he had not received the findings of the parliamentary review. However, he felt it “in the best interest of myself and the Government to now step down to ensure this does not become a distraction.”

Agreeing and accepting his resignation, Yousaf urged Matheson to “fully engage with that process”.

Gray, MSP for Airdrie and Shotts (north Lanarkshire) was born and brought up in Orkney.

Commenting on his appointment, Dr Iain Kennedy, chair of BMA Scotland, said: “It will now be down to Neil Gray…to deliver on solving the unprecedented crisis we face in doctor recruitment and retention in Scotland.”

Political News Scotland