Information regarding the resignation of former Minister for Housing and former Minister for Climate Action: FOI release

Information requested

1) The official resignation dates from ministerial office of Paul McLennan and Alasdair Allan.

2) The dates on which these resignations were communicated to the First Minister or Permanent Secretary.

3) Any correspondence (including emails, memos, or briefings) discussing the timing of their resignations.

4) Any documentation or internal advice relating to severance pay or pension entitlements in connection with their resignations and the dates they resigned on.

Response

1. Paul McLennan left the Scottish Government on Wednesday, 11 June 2025. Alasdair Allan left the Scottish Government on Friday, 13 June 2025.

2. Paul McLennan and Alasdair Allan wrote to the First Minister on 10 June 2025 to confirm their intention to resign from their Ministerial roles.

3. Material considered relevant to your request has been identified and is also available via the Scottish Government website (see following links):

Letter of resignation: Housing Minister Paul McLennan
Letter of resignation: Dr Alasdair Allan MSP to First Minister
Letter from First Minister to Paul McLennan MSP
Letter from First Minister John Swinney to Dr Alasdair Allan MSP

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

4. Ministerial pay is set and paid by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Government has no role in this. The Scottish Government does not hold any information in relation to the severance pay or pension entitlements of Ministers leaving office. This is a formal notice under section 17 of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not hold the information you have requested here. However, you may wish to contact the Scottish Parliament at The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP or info@parliament.scot who may be able to help you.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.