Peter Peacock resigns as Scottish education minister

The Scottish education and young people minister Peter Peacock has resigned from the government for health reasons, his department said today.

A replacement for Peacock, who oversaw the 21st Century Review of Social Work during his tenure, is expected to be announced this afternoon. 

In a resignation letter to first minister Jack McConnell, Peacock said that he had been experiencing a “prolonged period of ill health” exacerbated by the pressures of his post.

He wrote: “It has become increasingly apparent that a ministerial lifestyle is not conducive to either promoting or maintaining my health.”

Peacock, 54, said further “recent difficulties and advice” had persuaded him to give his health “priority attention”.

McConnell said that he hoped Peacock would be able to “take the necessary steps to lead [him] back to recovery” and praised his work while education minister.