Nicola Sturgeon regrets dropping Gillian Martin after '˜ill-advised' blog

Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Gillian Martin would not be put forward as a minister when MSPs were asked to approve her new ministerial team, following a row about an 'offensive' blog from 2007.

By The Newsroom

Published 28th Jun 2018, 13:28 BST

Updated 30th Jun 2018, 01:27 BST

Gillian Martin has been axed with "regret" from Nicola Sturgeon's cabinet. Picture: PA

SNP Minister Gillian Martin axed from education role

Ms Sturgeon said it was “with regret” that she would not be asking parliament to approve Ms Martin’s appointment.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Over the course of this morning information about the content of a blog written by her more than 10-years ago has been brought to my attention. I was not previously aware of all of the comments I am now aware of.

“I have to say that this content, however ill-advised it may be, does not reflect the views of the person I know in Gillian Martin. However the content does merit my further consideration and I will not ask parliament to approve this appointment until I have had the chance to reflect further.”