Ex-Labour minister Rhona Brankin to quit parliament

FORMER Labour minister Rhona Brankin has announced she is to quit parliament at next year`s election.

The Midlothian MSP yesterday said she wants to spend more time with her family and take up other roles in public life.

Ms Brankin said it had been a "privilege and an honour" to represent her constituents since Holyrood was established in 1999. "After 30 years of being active in the Labour Party I feel the time has come to step aside from frontline politics," she said. "Being in good health and having lots of energy, I intend to pursue other roles in public life and spend more time with my family."

Ms Brankin, 60, was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago. But she returned to work as deputy environment minister in the then Labour/Lib Dem executive weeks after surgery.

Ms Brankin also served as junior culture and sport minister, as well as communities minister. She is a former chairwoman of the Scottish Labour Party and was a member of the Constitutional Convention that drew up the blueprint for the Scottish Parliament.

Labour leader Iain Gray said her departure would be a "big loss" to the party. "She has served with distinction as MSP for Midlothian," he added.