Tributes paid following the death of Jeane Freeman

Tributes have been paid from across Scottish politics following the death of former health secretary Jeane Freeman at the age of 72.

Freeman, a former nurse and civil servant, led the response to the Covid pandemic before stepping down as an MSP at the last election.

Her partner, Susan Stewart, said she died in hospital less than a month after being diagnosed with an incurable cancer.

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.

“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.”

A former special adviser to former first minister Jack McConnell, Freeman later swapped allegiances and was elected as the SNP MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley in 2016.

Initially she served as the minister for social security before being appointed health secretary, becoming a familiar face during the daily Covid briefings at the height of the pandemic.

Earlier in her career, Freeman established Apex Scotland in 1987, a social enterprise which worked for ex-offenders and she for which she was awarded an OBE.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Jeane devoted her life to serving the public, and I am shocked and saddened at her death. 

“In her long and varied career, Jeane always had people at her heart and had an unrelenting aim to improve people’s lives.

“As health secretary during the Covid pandemic, she faced up to the biggest public health crisis Scotland has ever seen and steered a course through an immensely difficult time for our country and our health service, working tirelessly and acting throughout with honesty and selflessness.     

“I will miss her greatly, and my thoughts and deep condolences are with her partner Susan and wider family, and her many friends.”

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was “heartbroken” at Freeman’s death.

She said: “Jeane was an outstanding minister throughout the years she served in government – first in charge of social security and then as health secretary. 

“More than any of that, though, to me Jeane was my friend – one of my best and closest. She was always there with a smile and a laugh, or a shoulder to cry on – whatever was needed. I loved her.”

She added: “Visiting Jeane in hospital over these last short weeks since her sudden diagnosis, I have been overwhelmed to witness Jeane’s courage, Susan’s strength and the bond of unconditional love between them.”

Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said Freeman’s death had left him with a “profound sadness”. He paid tribute to her “decisive actions” during the pandemic, which “undoubtedly saved lives”.

Matt McLaughlin, head of health at UNISON Scotland, said Freeman had a “formidable understanding” on the NHS.

He said: “This is incredibly sad news. Jeane had a formidable understanding of the NHS and steered Scotland through the tough Covid months.

“She was a tough negotiator but always wanted the best for NHS staff. Our deepest condolences to Jeane’s family, especially her partner Susan.”

And Former first minister and Labour peer Lord McConnell described her as one of his “oldest friends”, adding that Scottish public life was “poorer without her”.