Fife MSP hails new portfolio as an 'exciting opportunity' after being appointed Transport Minister

A Fife MSP who has become Scotland's new Transport Minister says her new portfolio represents an "exciting opportunity".

Jenny Gilruth is Graeme Dey's successor in the role after he resigned due to health reasons.

The Glenrothes representative at Holyrood was previously the Scottish Government's Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, which Neil Gray has now become.

Both appointments are subject to acceptance by both the Scottish Parliament and The Queen.

Among Ms Gilruth's responsibilities will be the forthcoming nationalisation of ScotRail, which is due to take place at the end of March.

She said: "The transport portfolio is an exciting opportunity to not just shape the infrastructure of our country but to also help Scotland become a world leader in achieving our goal to become net zero by 2045.

"It has been a privilege to work with our international and cultural community over the last few years and I am looking forward to this new challenge.

"A lot of great work is already underway and I look forward to leading a low carbon revolution across Scotland’s transport system."

Mr Gray said: "It is an honour to be asked to join the Scottish Government.

"I look forward to building on the great work of my predecessor by further strengthening our relations across the globe and supporting the creative industries as they set out to recover from some of the hardest years for the sector in recent memory."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: "The appointment of Jenny Gilruth as Transport Minister and Neil Gray as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development is a vote of confidence in a new generation of ministerial talent.

"Jenny has proven herself to be an effective representative for Scotland and has championed Scotland’s cultural sector through difficult times.   

"Neil has shown real promise as Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security committee in his short time in Holyrood and I know he will bring the drive, passion and determination he has shown in parliament into government."

Image from Scottish Government (Flickr) released under Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)