Former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman dies aged 72

Former Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman, who was a key figure in the response to the Covid pandemic, has died at the age of 72.

Her partner said she died in hospital less than four weeks after being diagnosed with cancer.

A former nurse, justice campaigner and civil servant, Freeman entered politics as a special advisor to Labour First Minister Jack McConnell before joining the SNP and standing for the Scottish Parliament.

She became an MSP in 2016 and was appointed health secretary two years later, before standing down at the 2021 election.

She was a regular presence at the daily media briefings held by the Scottish government during the Covid pandemic.

Freeman was born and raised in Ayr and had a long career in the health and social justice sectors before working in politics.

For 12 years she ran the social enterprise Apex Scotland, working with employers and former prisoners. She was awarded an OBE in 1996 for her work rehabilitating offenders.

Freeman chaired the board of the Golden Jubilee Foundation and was a member of the Parole Board for Scotland and the Judicial Appointments Board.

She was MSP for the Ayrshire seat of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley from 2016 to 2021 and served as health secretary between 2018 and 2021.

During that time she ordered a public inquiry into the design, construction, commissioning and maintenance of Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and a new children's hospital in Edinburgh.

After leaving Holyrood in 2021 she gave evidence at the UK Covid Inquiry and the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry.

Her partner, Susan Stewart, said: "Jeane was given an unexpected diagnosis of incurable cancer on 13 January and we only had 25 days thereafter. Days which she faced with enormous courage, care for others and love for me.

"I wish to thank all the staff in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital whose professional skill, care and sensitivity were exceptional. We were both very grateful and also for the outpouring of love and concern from so many, across politics and beyond. Be kind to each other, that is what changes the world.

"Jeane and I were partners for over 25 years and I admired and supported her professional and public life. I am immensely proud of her, not least her latter volunteering at the Beatson Centre taking round the tea trolley, a job she loved.

"But it is the private Jeane – my soul mate and companion – who I will be forever grateful to have had in my life

Speaking to the BBC, First Minister John Swinney said he was "terribly saddened" by Freeman's death, adding that she had "given her all to the service of Scotland".

"She was an outstanding cabinet colleague and a selfless servant of the people of Scotland," he said.

"She designed Scotland's social security system based on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect and she made an incredible contribution to protecting others through the Covid pandemic."

Swinney added that Freeman had been a "great colleague and friend" who was always the source of "wise counsel" and had brought "deep values to all the work she undertook."

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon also paid tribute to Freeman, who she described as one of her "best and closest" friends.

"Words can't even begin to convey how heartbroken I feel that Jeane Freeman has gone," she said.

"As health secretary during Covid, she helped steer Scotland through the toughest of times.

"As well as bearing her own heavy responsibilities during that time, she helped me bear mine. I'm not sure I could have got through it without her by side."

She added that she had last seen Freeman on Friday and during her visits to hospital had been" overwhelmed to witness Jeane's courage".

Former first minister and Labour peer Lord McConnell, who worked closely with Freeman during the early years of devolution, described her as one of his "oldest friends", adding that Scottish public life was "poorer without her".

"From her time as a student leader when we first met to becoming health secretary during a global pandemic she never flinched in the service of those she represented," he said.

"Jeane was one of the most formidable public figures of her generation. She was ferociously clever, fired by a strong sense of justice and an enduring commitment to public service."

He added: "Whatever role she was in, whether as head of Apex, a government adviser or in the cabinet, she gave everything, She was renowned for her strong opinions and work ethic, but she was never more happy than when she was with her soulmate Susan."

Jeane Freeman made a political shift in the devolution years from Labour to the SNP via the campaign for independence.

I was slightly taken aback to witness the moment she revealed her political journey.

It was on a TV show I presented one Sunday. She appeared on set as a commentator - probably during the SNP's first term in office.

Having been a key adviser to the previous Labour administration she might have been expected to take a pro-UK position.

Instead, she signalled frustration with the powers of the Scottish Parliament and her potential support for independence.

With hindsight, she was probably bringing to the surface a stronger undercurrent in the politics of that time.

In government, she worked hard and with purpose. Her role in shaping the devolved benefits system is under appreciated.

I always found her open and candid and I know that she showed care for others.

When I last saw her, we reflected on the Covid lockdown.

Freeman recalled a drive through the empty streets of Edinburgh in March 2020 and how she said to herself "God, I hope we've got this right".