SNP MSP Ruth Maguire has revealed she has been diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer.
Maguire, who represents the Cunninghame South constituency in Holyrood, said she will be taking a medical leave of absence from public duties and frontline parliamentary work for treatment and recovery with immediate effect.
The politician said that although her condition is serious, doctors believe it is treatable. In a statement, she said: “On Tuesday 27th April 2021 I received the difficult news that I had been diagnosed with stage three cervical cancer.
“Having now had time to process what this means for me and talk things over with my family, I feel it is only right that I share this information with my constituents.
“Although my condition is serious, doctors believe it is treatable. Therefore, with immediate effect, I will be taking a medical leave of absence from public duties and frontline parliamentary work for treatment and recovery.”
She said that her parliamentary office in Irvine will continue to operate, with her team available to assist Cunninghame South constituents.
The MSP added: “I am eternally grateful for the support and care of my loving family and friends and, of course, our NHS.
“For now, I will concentrate on doing everything I can to get well and strong again and I thank everyone for their understanding.
“Being re-elected to serve my community is a privilege that I hold dearly every single day and I look forward to when I can resume my full duties.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon offered her best wishes to Maguire and her family.
She wrote on Twitter: "Sending love and strength to @RBFMaguire and her family – everyone in @theSNP is thinking of you."
Kate Forbes said Maguire "is one of the bravest and the best. We are all willing you on, with love and care".
Maguire was elected as MSP for Cunninghame South in 2016 and re-elected in 2021.
She is the daughter of former Scottish Greens’ MSP John Finnie.
A former police officer, Finnie retired from Holyrood ahead of the election.
Until then he was the party’s justice spokesperson and was a former SNP MSP, who defected to the Greens over the SNP’s policy to back Nato membership for an independent Scotland.
During the 2016 to 2021 term, Maguire served as convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee.
Maguire was elected as a councillor for North Ayrshire Council in 2012, in the Irvine West ward. She resigned as a councillor following her election to parliament. She strengthened her majority vote on May 6 and won the election with more than double the votes of her nearest rival.
Speaking at the count, she said: “Thank you to everyone who voted and made their voice heard. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank my election agent Robin Sturgeon and convener John Ferguson and all our members and activists for all your efforts during the campaign.
“Citizens in North Ayrshire and across Scotland have endorsed the SNP’s record and vision for recovery. Crucially this is also an endorsement of Scotland’s right to choose our own future.
“A right which no democrat, regardless of their position on the constitution, should stand in the way of.
“It is a privilege to serve our community in the Scottish Parliament. I will serve the whole community no matter how you voted. I am your MSP and I will do my very best for you. It’s been a tough year, there are more challenges to come but I know despite that there are brighter days ahead.”
She attended Holyrood on May 13 and was sworn in by taking the oath.
Any constituent, organisation or business needing support is asked to get in touch with her team via email at Ruth.Maguire.msp@Parliament.Scot or by phone on 01294 276 730.
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