 | 'I am facing up to what thousands of other women have had to face, but I do so with great confidence in the medical team and support staff with whom I have gone through various tests.Clearly this is a private matter and a private battle that I must fight quite unlike the many political battles I have fought in the past.' Margaret Ewing MSP, 12 th April 2002. |  |
Scottish National Party MSP Margaret Ewing has revealed that she has breast cancer.
The Moray MSP and convenor of the SNP's parliamentary group, will undergo surgery at Edinburgh's Western General Hospital next week.
Mrs Ewing, 56, said: "I am facing up to what thousands of other women have had to face, but I do so with great confidence in the medical team and support staff with whom I have gone through various tests.
"Clearly this is a private matter and a private battle that I must fight quite unlike the many political battles I have fought in the past.
"I fully intend, however, to soon be back battling on behalf of my constituents in Moray and for Scottish independence."
SNP Leader John Swinney said: "Margaret has been a close personal friend for many years and her news comes as a great shock.
"She is an outstanding political fighter for Scotland and one of the most popular figures in the Scottish Parliament.
"While this news is obviously a worry, I know that she is determined to be back, fighting for Scotland very soon."
The politician is a member of what is referred to as the "Ewing Dynasty" in the SNP.
Her husband is Fergus Ewing, MSP for Inveress East, Nairn and Lochaber.
Her mother-in-law is SNP veteran and Highlands and Islands MSP Winnie Ewing and her sister-in-law is Annabelle Ewing, MP for Perth.
Mrs Ewing is not the first MSP to reveal that she has breast cancer.
Former deputy sports minister Rhona Brankin successfully fought the disease and returned to work in March 2000.
Last year, the parliament's presiding officer, Sir David Steel, revealed that he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.
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