Oliver Mundell stands down as Tory education spokesperson

Oliver Mundell MSP is stepping down from the Scottish Conservative frontbench for personal reasons.

He has been the party’s education spokesperson since the 2021 election.

The party said it will announce his replacement in due course.

Mundell said: “As we move forward from the pandemic, like many people I have had the chance to reassess my priorities and have taken the decision to step back from the education spokesperson role.”

First elected in 2016, he has held a number of frontbench positions including the spokesman for community safety in the last parliamentary session.

He will continue as the MSP for Dumfriesshire.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross thanked him for his work.

Ross added: “I fully understand and respect his reasons for wishing to take this decision and know that he will continue to be a strong voice in parliament for his constituents in Dumfriesshire.”