Three sacked in SNP reshuffle

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Alex Salmond has sacked three ministers from the Scottish Government in his first reshuffle since taking power.

Culture minister Linda Fabiani, schools minister Maureen Watt and housing and sport minister Stewart Maxwell have all lost their jobs.

Environment minister Mike Russell has taken over the culture brief and has been replaced by Roseanna Cunningham.

Backbencher Alex Neil is the new communities minister, while Keith Brown was made schools minister.

Mr Salmond said the time was right to bring in new talent, as the SNP approached the mid-point of its parliamentary term in government.

He thanked the departed ministers for their work, adding: "There have been no failures in the ministerial team, but I have asked them to make way to give colleagues an opportunity to show what they can contribute."

The first minister went on: "The SNP group is extremely fortunate in having such a strong team of backbenchers and the purpose of the reshuffle is to give talented individuals such as Alex Neil, Roseanna Cunningham and Keith Brown the opportunity to make their contribution to government and the delivery of vital public services for the Scottish people."