Health secretary Neil Gray admitted to hospital

Scotland’s health secretary was admitted to hospital and may not be able to attend Holyrood for a crucial vote on proposed assisted dying legislation.

A Scottish Government spokesperson confirmed Neil Gray had been admitted to hospital on Monday night – but added that he was expected to be discharged.

If he is unable to be in Holyrood for the vote, he would vote by proxy, the spokesperson added.

No information was given on why Gray had been admitted to hospital.

If the health secretary cannot attend this evening’s debate on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, social care and mental wellbeing minister Tom Arthur will take his place in the chamber.

Gray has previously described the Bill, which faces its final crucial vote in Holyrood later on tonight, as being a “defining moment” for Scotland.

Speaking on Monday, he had said he planned to set out how he would vote on the legislation in the Parliament.

In the vote on the general principles of the Bill last May, he had been the only MSP to abstain, with this in line with the Scottish Government’s position of neutrality towards the legislation.