Yousaf becomes Justice Secretary as Matheson moves to transport

Scotland has a new Cabinet Secretary for Justice in Humza Yousaf, following a reshuffle by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Mr Yousaf found himself promoted to the cabinet from his previous role as Minister for Transport and the Islands. His predecessor Michael Matheson remains in cabinet, responsible for transport, infrastructure and connectivity, but solicitor Annabelle Ewing, formerly Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, will no longer have a ministerial role. Ash Denham is promoted to become Minister for Community Safety. Christina McKelvie, who was convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Human Rights & Equalities Committee, is appointed to a new role of Minister for Older People and Equalities, with her responsibilities including disabilities and the protection and development of social and human rights.

In other moves, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay has the economy and fair work added to his responsibilities, as Keith Brown leaves the Government. Health Secretary Shona Robison leaves to be replaced by Jeane Freeman, formerly Minister for Social Security, while Shirley-Anne Somerville is promoted to a new cabinet post for social security and older people. Mike Russell, the minister in charge of the Brexit negotiations with the UK Government, joins the cabinet with responsibility for Government business and community relations; and Aileen Campbell becomes Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government while Angela Constance leaves her cabinet responsibilities for communities, social security and equalities.

Mr Yousaf said he was "proud to make history as the first ethnic minority person appointed to cabinet in Scotland, and apparently the youngest person ever appointed too!". He owed a lot to "giants" like Mohammed Sarwar, Bashir Ahmad and many others "who chipped away at the glass ceiling, allowing me to get to where I am today".