John Swinney opens up on health struggles of wife, Elizabeth
Host Brian Taylor asked the SNP leader about Kate Forbes' shock decision to stand down at the next election, and how he balanced family life with high office.
Mr Swinney and Ms Quigley have a teenage son, Matthew.
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Asked if he was anxious about taking the job given his wife's illness, he said: 'Yes, I did, and we have both been very open about this. I left office in 2023 because I thought I had asked too much of my family — too many sacrifices.
'I felt my wife needed her husband at her side a bit more. I am not sure she felt that, but I kind of felt I should be a bit closer at hand.
'So when things changed and the gravity of the situation facing my party became clear in late April 2024 we had to talk through what would happen and how we would manage.
'We manage by a lot of help and support from friends locally, and by us just working together to try and make it all work.'
Had Humza Yousaf stood down as First Minister a month earlier, Mr Swinney said he would not have been able to take the job as Elizabeth 'was not doing well'.
'And we have just got a period just now, where things are not too good, to be honest. We are struggling a bit at home.
'Normally, I have commitments in the city tomorrow. I would normally stay in Edinburgh — I am going home tonight because I have just got to adjust.'
Mr Swinney said he also understood why Ms Forbes plans on standing down.
The Deputy First Minister, who has a three-year-old daughter and will be Unspun Live's guest on Thursday, said she did not want to 'miss any more of the precious early years of family life'.
'I totally understand her situation,' he said. 'And she's a superb Deputy First Minister. She's supported me wholeheartedly. She's done a great job, and I am very, very sorry to be losing her, but I understand that it's tough, and she's made her judgement, and she's set out her reasons, and I completely respect that.'
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- The Herald Scotland
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