The Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Energy is a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet.Scotland Act (1998), Only those appointed under Section 47 of the Scotland Act "attend" Cabinet. Junior ministers are appointed under Section 49 and may be "present". The minister supported the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs, a full member of the cabinet until its abolishment. The current Minister is Stephen Gethins, who was appointed on May 20, 2026.
The post was created in September 2012. The role was modified in February 2020 with migration moving to another post, before being abolished in May 2024 by John Swinney. In May 2026, the post was re-established. Overview The specific responsibilities of the minister were: International development Post-Brexit Relations Cross government co-ordination on the European Union Fair trade Scottish diaspora
History In September 2012 the position of Minister for External Affairs and International Development was created; the name of the role changed a November 2014 reshuffle when Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister. It was changed again in May 2016, after the 2016 election, and again in June 2018. In May 2024, First Minister John Swinney abolished the role following the formation of his first government. John Swinney brought the office back in use in May 2026, following the formation of his second government as Minister for Europe, External Affairs, and Energy.
List of office holders The incumbent Minister is Stephen Gethins, who has held the role since May 2026.
Deputy Minister for Culture and SportNamePortraitEntered officeLeft officePartyFirst Minister Rhona Brankin 19 May 19991 November 2000Scottish Labour PartyDonald Dewar Deputy Minister for Environment, Sport and Culture Deputy Minister for Education, Europe and External AffairsNamePortraitEntered officeLeft officePartyFirst MinisterNamePortraitEntered officeLeft officePartyFirst Minister Allan Wilson 1 November 20008 March 2001Scottish Labour Party Henry McLeish Nicol Stephen 1 November 2000 28 November 2001 Scottish Liberal Democrats Henry McLeish Deputy Minister for Sport, the Arts and Culture Allan Wilson 8 March 200128 November 2001 Scottish Labour Party Henry McLeish Deputy Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Elaine Murray28 November 2001 28 November 2002Labour PartyJack McConnell Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani17 May 200710 February 2009Scottish National PartyAlex Salmond Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution Michael Russell10 February 20091 December 2009Scottish National PartyAlex Salmond Minister for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop1 December 200919 May 2011Scottish National PartyAlex Salmond Minister for External Affairs and International Development Humza Yousaf 6 September 201221 November 2014Scottish National Party Alex Salmond Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf 21 November 201418 May 2016Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon Minister for International Development and Europe Alasdair Allan 18 May 201627 June 2018Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Ben Macpherson 27 June 201817 February 2020Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon Minister for Europe and International Development Jenny Gilruth 17 February 202024 January 2022Scottish National Party Nicola Sturgeon Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development Neil Gray 24 January 202229 March 2023Scottish National PartyNicola Sturgeon Christina McKelvie 29 March 20238 February 2024Scottish National PartyHumza Yousaf Kaukab Stewart 12 February 20248 May 2024Scottish National PartyHumza Yousaf Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Energy Stephen Gethins 21 May 2026IncumbentScottish National PartyJohn Swinney
References
External links Cabinet and Ministers on Scottish Government website Minister for Europe and International Development on Scottish Government website