Argyll & Bute's MSP steps down from ministerial role

Ms Minto, who was returned as Argyll and Bute’s constituency MSP with a reduced majority in the May 2026 election, said on 19 May: "I was delighted to cast my vote for John Swinney as Scotland’s First Minister. It has been such an honour to serve in his Government.

"However, after some careful reflection I have made the decision to resign from my role as Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health.

"There are many challenges and opportunities facing Argyll and Bute and I look forward to returning to the back benches and advocating strongly for my constituents."

Ms Minto, who first won the seat in the 2021 election, has served as Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health since March 2023, when she was appointed by the then First Minister Humza Yousaf.

This week the re-elected First Minister, John Swinney, thanked Ms Minto for her service to the people of Scotland.

Mr Swinney named his new cabinet on 20 May, appointing eight cabinet secretaries, including Jenny Gilruth as Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, and Deputy First Minister, replacing Kate Forbes who stood down at the election.

The other Cabinet Secretaries include Angela Constance for Health and Care, Màiri McAllan for Education, Culture and Gaelic, Gillian Martin for Climate Action and Rural Affairs, Shirley-Anne Somerville for Social Justice and Housing, and Stephen Flynn for Tourism and Transport.

Eleven ministers were also appointed, including Maree Todd for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol & Drugs, Jim Fairlie for Agriculture, Marine & the Islands, and Stephen Gethins for Europe, External Affairs & Energy.

The Scottish Government said: "Excluding the Law Officers, the overall size of government is down from 28 in 2024. The new streamlined ministerial team has been reduced to 20, including the First Minister and Deputy First Minister.

"Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, has left the Scottish Government with the First Minister thanking her for service to the people of Scotland."

Ms Minto’s full resignation letter to Mr Swinney, dated 19 May, reads: "It has been an honour to serve in your government as Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health and to deliver on the priorities of government under you and Humza.

"I am particularly proud of the work I have driven in Women’s Health including the Women’s Health Plan and the miscarriage patient charter, and in community and preventative measures in health such as improvements in preventing diabetes, strategies to reduce and eradicate cancers, and supporting those in need of palliative care.

"Whilst I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role, after careful reflection, I have decided to resign from my role to spend more time in my beautiful constituency of Argyll and Bute with my family in Islay.

"Representing my constituents and communities is a responsibility I take seriously, and as you know it is a large geographical area with many rural, and island areas, which I believe I can best serve through my full attention at this time.

"I am of course delighted you have been elected as the First Minister of Scotland, and it has been a privilege to serve in your government. 

"I remain committed to supporting your leadership and the work of the government to deliver on the commitments from our ambitious 2026 manifesto."