John Swinney Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Former Health Secretary Jeane Freeman
First Minister John Swinney has described the late former Scottish health secretary Jeane Freeman as a "wise counsellor" during the "terrifying" coronavirus pandemic, in a moving tribute following her death at age 72. Ms Freeman, who served as health secretary from 2018 to 2021, passed away on Saturday after a recent cancer diagnosis.
A Life of Public Service and Deep Values
Mr Swinney emphasized that Jeane Freeman brought "deep values of dignity, fairness and respect" to every role she undertook throughout her distinguished career. He stated unequivocally that she "served Scotland incredibly well in so many different areas", highlighting her multifaceted contributions to Scottish public life.
Her political journey was particularly noteworthy:
- Former nurse who entered politics later in life
- Served as MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley from 2016 to 2021
- Appointed as a senior civil servant following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999
- Served as special adviser to then-First Minister Jack McConnell
- Played a leading role in Women for Independence during the 2014 referendum
- Joined the SNP and was elected as an MSP in 2016
Steadfast Leadership During Unprecedented Crisis
Mr Swinney provided particularly poignant insights about Ms Freeman's leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, speaking to BBC Radio Scotland's Breakfast programme about the challenging period. "That period was terrifying for everybody in society, and it was terrifying for government ministers," he recalled.
He elaborated on the uncertainty government ministers faced: "We did not know all that would transpire. We didn't know the enormity of what we were dealing with. We didn't know all the twists and turns that we would face."
Despite these overwhelming challenges, Mr Swinney emphasized that Ms Freeman brought exceptional qualities to the Cabinet table:
- Substantial intellect combined with practical wisdom
- Life experience that informed her decision-making
- Thoughtfulness and careful consideration of evidence
- Values-driven approach to complex problems
"What Jeane contributed to all of those discussions was a considered, evidenced, thoughtful contribution as to what was the best way to navigate our way through a really unpredictable period," Mr Swinney explained.
Cross-Party Respect and Lasting Legacy
The First Minister revealed that a motion of condolence has been lodged at the Scottish Parliament, noting the widespread appreciation for Ms Freeman's contributions across political lines. "I think what's crystal clear from the sentiments that have been expressed by members of all political persuasions, there was a deep, deep appreciation of the substantial contribution that Jeane made to our politics, to governance in Scotland," he stated.
Mr Swinney added that he had been "struck by just the warmth and the depth of appreciation from across the political spectrum and also across the community."
Significant Policy Contributions Beyond Health
Beyond her crucial role during the pandemic, Mr Swinney highlighted Ms Freeman's substantial policy achievements in other areas. He noted her "formidable contribution" to designing Scotland's social security system, describing how she brought "extra levels of personal commitment to all that she did."
Reflecting on her earlier career, Mr Swinney praised her work as a civil servant and special adviser who helped advance "really significant reforms" during the early years of devolved government in Scotland.
Throughout his tribute, Mr Swinney returned to the central theme of Ms Freeman's character and approach: "I felt as if I was dealing with a wise counsellor throughout that period as we tried to establish what was the best and the most appropriate step to take." This characterization captures the essence of how colleagues viewed her contributions during one of modern Scotland's most challenging periods.
