Fiona Hyslop sacked as Education Secretary

Published on Tuesday 1 December 2009 08:49

FIONA Hyslop was today sacked as Education Secretary amid opposition threats to mount a vote of no confidence in her.

And First Minister Alex Salmond appointed Michael Russell - who was in charge of the Scottish Government's independence white paper published yesterday - to replace her.

Ms Hyslop, a Lothians list MSP, will take over Mr Russell's role of Minister for Culture and External Affairs, attending Cabinet.

But Mr Salmond will take personal charge of the constitutional issue and the referendum bill.

It is the first change in the make-up of the six-strong Cabinet since the SNP came to power in May 2007.

Ms Hyslop had been under mounting pressure over class sizes, teacher numbers and possible moves to remove control of education from local authorities.

The Lib Dems were threatening to table a motion of no-confidence, which Labour would have supported.

Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott welcomed today's move. He said: "We said on Saturday we would table a motion of no confidence today so I welcome the First Minister's announcement of a new education secretary. But he should be in no doubt that carrying on with the same education policies is not acceptable."

Mr Salmond said: "Schools policy has reached a difficult period with our disagreement with many local authorities about their failure to reduce class sizes by sustaining teacher numbers, while we have achieved a new record low in primary school class sizes.

"It is appropriate that a fresh look is taken at this and other schooling issues to break the impasse for the benefit of parents, teachers and children. I believe that Michael Russell can bring new thinking to this tough task.

"Fiona Hyslop will do an excellent job as Minister for Culture and External Affairs."