SNP MSP and former minister Kevin Stewart will not stand for re-election to Holyrood next year, he has announced.

In a letter to the First Minister, the Aberdeen Central MSP said he was not “100% physically fit” after a four-week absence due to illness.

Having been elected in the SNP majority parliament of 2011, Stewart went on to be a minister for local government, mental wellbeing and transport, resigning from the latter in 2023, citing mental health issues.

The former minister was announced as the Aberdeen Central candidate earlier this year, meaning local activists will have to quickly vote for a replacement.

Swinney said he was “very sorry” to hear of Stewart’s decision, describing him as a “great friend and ally”.

In his letter, Stewart said: “As you know, prior to recess, I was

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