Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP Alasdair Allan has today stepped down from his role as Minister for International Development and Europe in the Scottish Government.

The islands MSP has served as a Government Minister since 2011, first as Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland's Languages in the Government under former First Minister Alex Salmond before being appointed his latest role in Nicola Sturgeon’s Government after the 2016 Holyrood elections.

Commenting, Alasdair Allan MSP said:

“I would like to thank both the First Minister and the former First Minister Alex Salmond for allowing me the opportunity to serve in two successive Scottish Governments. It has truly been an honour.

“Representing the people of the Western Isles in Scotland’s Parliament is the greatest privilege I have ever had, and my first and foremost duty. My constituency spans 130 miles and encompasses 13 inhabited islands. Balancing both my roles as the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Na h-Eileanan an Iar and a Government Minister has proved more than a little logistically challenging at times. I am greatly looking forward to be able to spend even more time in the islands that have been so welcoming to me since I first moved here more than a decade ago, and that I am now proud to call my home.

“I would also like to thank all those who I have worked with over the past seven years for their help and support, and I pass on my best wishes to the new Ministerial team.”