There’s too much sadness around at the moment. We are losing too many good people. I was really sad to see this morning that former Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman had died. She had that role during the pandemic and had also been a Special Adviser to Labour First Minster Jack McConnell.

I remember saying to her when I congratulated her on her appointment that it was clear that Nicola Sturgeon was giving her most difficult job to her most competent Minister. She had previously been responsible for setting up Social Security Scotland which she did pretty well. I was involved as our Social Security Spokesperson in the discussions around the legislation and I was impressed at her willingness to listen to opposition parties and build a consensus.

I feel so much for her partner Susan Stewart. They’ve had over 20 years together and it feels particularly cruel that she has lost Jeane not that long after her own retirement.

Alex Cole-Hamilton paid a lovely tribute to Jeane, saying:

Jeane’s passing brings me profound sadness.

As Health Secretary during the global pandemic, there can be little doubt that she bore the heaviest burden that anyone in that role has ever been asked to bear. In those early days of Covid, she and I spoke almost every day and I was always struck by her inclusivity and her generosity with her time. Her decisive actions will have undoubtedly saved a lot of lives.

From her efforts to rehabilitate former offenders, to the delivery of a devolved social security agency, she always worked extremely hard in the service of the people of Scotland. For that she earned the respect and thanks of so many.

My thoughts are with Susan and her loved ones at this difficult time.

 

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings. You can find her on Bluesky at caronmlindsay.bsky.social