LONG-SERVING Labour MSP Rhoda Grant announced today that she is stepping down from Holyrood at next May’s election as it is “time to make way for others.”

The Highlands and Islands MSP was elected to Holyrood in the first Scottish Parliament election in 1999 and has gone on to serve in five of the six parliamentary terms since then.

She announced on social media today that she has “made the difficult decision that I will not be standing for re-election next year.”

Ms Grant, Labour’s rural affairs spokeswoman at Holyrood, said: “I have loved representing my region alongside people, too many to mention, who have worked with me, challenged me and supported me.

“Unfortunately, after thinking long and hard about the demands of this role, I do not feel I can continue to give the time and commitment required to do it justice and therefore hand on the baton to others and will not stand at the next Scottish Parliament elections.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar paid tribute to Ms Grant as a “dedicated colleague, a champion for the Highlands and Islands and a source of sound advice.”