View source for Angus Robertson

{{About|the Scottish politician|the Australian bookseller|Angus & Robertson}}{{Distinguish|Agnes Robertson (disambiguation)}}{{short description|Scottish politician (born 1969)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[The Right Honourable]]
| name                = Angus Robertson
| honorific-suffix    = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]]
| image               = Angus Robertson - 53727242996 (cropped).jpg
| image_upright       = 0.9
| caption             = Official portrait, 2024
| office              = [[Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture]]
| firstminister       = [[Nicola Sturgeon]]<br />[[Humza Yousaf]] <br/> [[John Swinney]]
| term_start          = 20 May 2021
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Michael Russell (Scottish politician)|Mike Russell]] (Constitution and External Affairs)<br />[[Fiona Hyslop]] (Culture)
| successor           = 
| office1             = [[Scottish National Party#Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party|Depute Leader of the Scottish National Party]]<!-- E IS DELIBERATE - DO NOT CHANGE -->
| leader1             = [[Nicola Sturgeon]]
| term_start1         = 13 October 2016
| term_end1           = 3 February 2018
| predecessor1        = [[Stewart Hosie]]
| successor1          = [[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]]
| office2             = [[Scottish National Party#Leadership|Leader of the Scottish National Party in the House of Commons]]
| deputy2             = [[Stewart Hosie]]
| leader2             = [[Alex Salmond]] <br /> [[Nicola Sturgeon]]
| term_start2         = 23 May 2007
| term_end2           = 3 May 2017
| predecessor2        = [[Alex Salmond]]
| successor2          = [[Ian Blackford]]
| office3             = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]]<br />for [[Edinburgh Central (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh Central]]
| term_start3         = 7 May 2021
| term_end3           = 
| predecessor4        = [[Ruth Davidson]]
| successor4          = 
| majority4           = 4,732 (11.3%)
| office5             = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]]<br />for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]]
| term_start5         = 7 June 2001
| term_end5           = 3 May 2017
| predecessor5        = [[Margaret Ewing]]
| successor5          = [[Douglas Ross (Scottish politician)|Douglas Ross]]
| office6             = Scottish National Party portfolios
| suboffice6          = [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office|Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs]]
| subterm6            = 2001–2015
| suboffice7          = [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Defence]]
| subterm7            = 2001–2015
| birth_name          = Angus Struan Carolus Robertson
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1969|9|28|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[London]], England
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Scottish National Party]]
| spouse              = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Carron Anderson||2015|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Jennifer Dempsie|2016}}
}}
| children            = 2
| alma_mater          = [[University of Aberdeen]]
| website             = {{url|angusrobertson.org|Official website}}
| nationality         = [[British]]
| signature           = Angus Robertson signature.svg
}}
'''Angus Struan Carolus Robertson''' (born 28 September 1969) is a Scottish politician serving as the [[Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture]] since 2021. Formerly Depute<!--"DEPUTE" is the official spelling--> Leader of the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP) from 2016 to 2018, he has served as the [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSP) for [[Edinburgh Central (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh Central]] since [[2021 Scottish Parliament election|2021]]. Robertson previously served as a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Westminster MP]] for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]] from [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]] to [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]], where he served from 2007 to 2017 as the Leader of the SNP in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].

A graduate of the [[University of Aberdeen]], Robertson previously worked as a [[journalist]]. He was first elected to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] in [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]]. In 2017, he sought re-election as the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MP]] for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]] and lost to the [[Scottish Conservative]] candidate, [[Douglas Ross (Scottish politician)|Douglas Ross]].<ref name="deputy">{{Cite news |date=13 October 2016 |title=Angus Robertson named as SNP deputy leader |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37640935 |access-date=13 October 2016 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416025635/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-37640935 |url-status=live }}</ref> He was succeeded as SNP Westminster Leader by [[Ian Blackford]].

Robertson resigned as SNP Depute Leader in February 2018, before launching the pro-independence think tank [[Progress Scotland]] in 2019, alongside Mark Diffley.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Marianne Taylor: The moral case for independence is clear, but it's a hard sell economically |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17405933.marianne-taylor-the-moral-case-for-independence-is-clear-but-its-a-hard-sell-economically/ |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |location=Glasgow |access-date=2 May 2019 |archive-date=2 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502130128/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17405933.marianne-taylor-the-moral-case-for-independence-is-clear-but-its-a-hard-sell-economically/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]], Robertson was elected to the [[Scottish Parliament]] for [[Edinburgh Central (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh Central]].

==Early life and career==
Robertson was born in [[Wimbledon, London|Wimbledon]], London, to a Scottish father, Struan, who was an engineer, and a German mother, Anna, who was a nurse. Robertson was brought up in [[Edinburgh]] and speaks fluent German. He was educated at [[Broughton High School (Edinburgh)|Broughton High School]], Edinburgh and the [[University of Aberdeen]], where he graduated in 1991 with an [[Master of Arts (Scotland)|MA]] [[Honours degree]] in [[politics]] and [[international relations]].  After university he embarked on a [[journalism|journalistic career]], and worked as a foreign and diplomatic correspondent in Central Europe for the [[BBC World Service]].

Robertson joined the [[Scottish National Party]] in 1984, at the age of 15, after being given a leaflet about the party's youth wing by Charlie Reid of [[The Proclaimers]]. He was the European and International Affairs Adviser to the SNP Group in the [[Scottish Parliament]].

==Member of Parliament (2001–2017)==
===2001 general election===
Robertson was first elected to the UK [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] in June 2001, representing the [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]] constituency. During his first [[parliamentary session]], Robertson was Scotland's youngest MP and was rated Scotland's "hardest working MP" according to statistics from the House of Commons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org/web/site/home/Angus_Robertson.asp |title=Angus Robertson |website=John Smith Memorial Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106124708/http://www.johnsmithmemorialtrust.org/web/site/home/Angus_Robertson.asp |archive-date=6 January 2009 }}</ref> He was a member of the [[European Scrutiny Committee]] from 2001 to 2010, and served as the SNP's spokesman on [[defense (military)|Defence]] and [[International Relations]]. Robertson was well above average amongst MPs in the number of contributions he made in the House of Commons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-05-27 |title=Angus Robertson MP, Moray |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/angus_robertson/moray#numbers |access-date=2015-06-01 |publisher=TheyWorkForYou.com |archive-date=1 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601165330/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/angus_robertson/moray#numbers |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2006, Robertson provided Swiss Senator [[Dick Marty]] a report containing what he calls 'a detailed report of numerous [[extraordinary rendition|suspect movements of aircraft]] transiting through Scotland.<ref>{{Cite news |title=European governments 'knew of' CIA flights |url=https://www.theguardian.com/usa/story/0,,1693657,00.html |date=24 January 2006 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |language=en-GB |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125081323/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/jan/24/usa.politics |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Leader of the SNP in the House of Commons (2007–2017)===
[[File:Angus robertson.jpg|left|thumb|224x224px|Robertson's official parliamentary portrait, 2001]]
In May 2007, he became SNP Leader in the House of Commons, following [[Alex Salmond]]'s election as [[First Minister of Scotland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Robertson elected SNP's Westminster leader |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/may/23/houseofcommons.scotland |agency=[[Press Association]] |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=23 May 2007 |location=London |language=en-GB |access-date=1 June 2015 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125081304/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2007/may/23/houseofcommons.scotland |url-status=live }}</ref> 

In 2007 Robertson pushed for a UK-wide referendum on the [[Lisbon Treaty]], something that the SNP opposed because it entrenched EU control over Scottish affairs.  "We'll trust the people, while Gordon Brown will not trust the people," Robertson told ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|The Daily Record]]'', "We are honour-bound to support a referendum."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-to-push-for-eu-treaty-referendum-961377|title=SNP To Push For EU Treaty Referendum|date=26 October 2007 |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |location=Glasgow |access-date=7 May 2021|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513214616/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snp-to-push-for-eu-treaty-referendum-961377 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Ahead of the 2015 General Election, Robertson had the SNP pass a code of conduct that stated any MP must, "accept that no member shall within or outwith the parliament publicly criticise a group decision, policy or another member of the group".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13207900.snp-clampdown-mps-fail-toe-party-line/
|title=SNP clampdown on MPs who fail to toe the party line |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |date=30 March 2015 |location=Glasgow |access-date=4 October 2021 |archive-date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004110408/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13207900.snp-clampdown-mps-fail-toe-party-line/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Rival parties labelled it a "Stalinist" crackdown on free speech and independent thought.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-accused-gagging-own-mps-stalin-2473803 |title=SNP accused of gagging own MPs 'like Stalin' |newspaper=[[The Scotsman]] |date=30 March 2015 |location=Edinburgh |access-date=4 October 2021 |archive-date=4 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004110408/https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/snp-accused-gagging-own-mps-stalin-2473803 |url-status=live}}</ref> Following the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] and the election of Salmond as MP for [[Gordon (UK Parliament constituency)|Gordon]], it was confirmed that he would continue in his role as leader in the Commons. In September 2015, he was appointed to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] and as a member of the [[Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-09 |title=Westminster SNP leader appointed Privy Council |url=http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2015/sep/westminster-snp-leader-appointed-privy-council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925043031/http://www.snp.org/media-centre/news/2015/sep/westminster-snp-leader-appointed-privy-council |archive-date=25 September 2015 |access-date=2015-10-11 |website=[[Scottish National Party]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2015 |title=SNP's Angus Robertson to become member of House of Commons Intelligence and Security Committee |first=Michael |last=Settle |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political_news/13655829.SNP_s_Angus_Robertson_to_become_member_of_House_of_Commons_Intelligence_and_Security_Committee/  |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |location=Glasgow |access-date=2015-10-11 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019041851/http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/political_news/13655829.SNP_s_Angus_Robertson_to_become_member_of_House_of_Commons_Intelligence_and_Security_Committee/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018 it was revealed that Robertson had been contacted a decade ago by staff at Edinburgh Airport about the alleged behaviour of then First Minister Alex Salmond. Robertson said: "In 2009 I was called by an Edinburgh Airport manager about Alex Salmond's perceived 'inappropriateness' towards female staff at the airport. I was asked if I could informally broach the subject with Mr Salmond to make him aware of this perception. I raised the matter directly with Mr Salmond, who denied he had acted inappropriately in any way. I communicated back to the Edinburgh Airport manager that a conversation had happened. The matter being resolved, and without a formal complaint having been made, it was not reported further."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.sky.com/story/female-airport-staff-complained-of-salmond-inappropriateness-says-ex-snp-deputy-leader-12157609|title=Female airport staff complained of Salmond 'inappropriateness', says ex-SNP deputy leader |website=[[Sky News]] |access-date=11 April 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411205848/https://news.sky.com/story/female-airport-staff-complained-of-salmond-inappropriateness-says-ex-snp-deputy-leader-12157609 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was subsequently reported that Salmond had been banned from using a VIP access corridor at the airport.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/harassment-row-cost-alex-salmond-vip-access-at-airport-86tsb7d28 |title=Harassment row cost Alex Salmond VIP access at airport |first=Mark |last=Macaskill |newspaper=[[The Sunday Times]] |date=18 November 2018 |access-date=11 April 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411205641/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/harassment-row-cost-alex-salmond-vip-access-at-airport-86tsb7d28 |url-status=live}}</ref> Robertson's handling of the allegations was later investigated by the [[Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints]] in 2020 and he submitted written evidence.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/1802992/angus-robertson-salmond-inquiry/ |title=Salmond inquiry: Angus Robertson spoke to ex-SNP leader about 'inappropriateness' concern |first=Calum |last=Ross |date=10 December 2020 |newspaper=[[The Courier (Dundee)|The Courier]] |location=Dundee |access-date=14 April 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414163419/https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/1802992/angus-robertson-salmond-inquiry/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In January 2016, Robertson said that British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] should admit to British involvement in [[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]]: "Isn't it time for the Prime Minister to admit that Britain is effectively taking part in a war in Yemen that is costing thousands of civilians lives and he has not sought parliamentary approval to do this?"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stone |first=Jon |date=20 January 2016 |title=David Cameron accused of silently taking Britain into Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-accused-of-silently-taking-britain-into-saudi-arabia-s-brutal-war-in-yemen-a6822811.html |access-date=29 August 2017 |archive-date=25 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125210554/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-accused-of-silently-taking-britain-into-saudi-arabia-s-brutal-war-in-yemen-a6822811.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Depute Leader of the SNP ===
[[File:Angus Robertson Conference.jpg|thumb|253x253px|Robertson in 2016]]
On 13 October 2016, he was elected Depute Leader of the SNP, replacing [[Stewart Hosie]]. Robertson received 52.5% of the votes, defeating [[Tommy Sheppard (politician)|Tommy Sheppard]] (25.5%), [[Alyn Smith]] (18.6%) and Chris McEleny (3.3%) in the election.<ref name="deputy" /> He resigned in February 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 February 2018 |title=Robertson quits as SNP deputy leader |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42931413 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=21 June 2018 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623114505/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-42931413 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2017 general election ===

During the [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]] Robertson told the media that "Tory is a four letter word in Scotland", but amid a backlash to Nicola Sturgeon's decision to call for a second independence referendum,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40216748 |title=General election 2017: Sturgeon says Indyref2 'a factor' in SNP losses |date=9 June 2017 |work=[[BBC News]] |access-date=7 May 2021 |archive-date=6 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106051828/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40216748 |url-status=live}}</ref> he lost his [[Moray]] seat to [[Douglas Ross (Scottish politician)|Douglas Ross]] of the Scottish Conservatives.<ref name = central/> 

In a profile of the seat for ''The Guardian'' after the election, journalist Severin Carrell summarised the result: "Moray had been an SNP seat for 30 years but... using Brexit as the basis for a second independence vote so soon after 2014 crystallised an irritation with the party brewing for several years. The Tory cry that Sturgeon needed “to get on with the day job” resonated."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/27/moray-fed-up-with-snp-simple-as-that-scotland-election |title=Moray: 'We are fed up with the SNP. It's as simple as that' |first=Severin |last=Carrell |date=27 June 2017 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |language=en-GB |access-date=29 April 2021 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111223525/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/27/moray-fed-up-with-snp-simple-as-that-scotland-election |url-status=live}}</ref>

After losing his seat, Robertson resigned as a Depute Leader of the SNP and established ''Progress Scotland'', a pro-independence think-tank.<ref name = central/>

== MSP for Edinburgh Central (2021–present)==
In February 2020, Robertson announced his intention to contest the [[Edinburgh Central (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh Central]] constituency in the [[2021 Scottish Parliament election]].<ref name="central">{{Cite web |date=18 February 2020 |title=Former SNP MP Angus Robertson to run for Holyrood in 2021 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-51545141 |access-date=18 February 2020 |work=[[BBC News]] |publisher=BBC |archive-date=18 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218110415/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-51545141 |url-status=live}}</ref> He won selection ahead of [[Marco Biagi (politician)|Marco Biagi]], a former MSP for the area.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2020 |title=SNP select former MP Angus Robertson for Edinburgh Central seat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54849589 |access-date=7 November 2020 |work=[[BBC News]] |archive-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106231309/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-54849589 |url-status=live }}</ref> Robertson won the seat with 39% of the vote, beating out the Scottish Conservative candidate by 4,732 votes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Edinburgh Central – Scottish Parliament constituency |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/scotland/constituencies/S16000104 |access-date=7 May 2021 |archive-date=7 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507102726/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/scotland/constituencies/S16000104 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Ahead of the selection contest for the seat of Edinburgh Central, the SNP National Executive Committee announced that any MP chosen as a candidate for Holyrood would be obliged to resign from Westminster ahead of the election to the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/08/02/snp-war-ruling-bodys-holyrood-candidate-stitch/ |title=SNP at war over ruling body's Holyrood candidate 'stitch up' |date=2 August 2020 |newspaper=[[Sunday Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=11 April 2021 |archive-date=11 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411211150/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/08/02/snp-war-ruling-bodys-holyrood-candidate-stitch/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Some considered the rule change a deliberate "stitch up" by the SNP establishment to stop MP Joanna Cherry, a critic of the party leadership, from winning the party's nomination for the seat and boost the candidacy of Angus Robertson, a leadership loyalist.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18617440.backlash-grows-snp-leaderships-holyrood-stitch-up-plan/ |title=Backlash grows to SNP leadership's Holyrood 'stitch-up' plan |date=30 July 2020 |first=Tom |last=Gordon |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |location=Glasgow |access-date=27 May 2021 |archive-date=8 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108233832/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/18617440.backlash-grows-snp-leaderships-holyrood-stitch-up-plan/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Cherry dropped out of the contest, citing an unwillingness to make her staff unemployed in a pandemic, and Robertson won the party's nomination.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53607198 |title=SNP's Joanna Cherry rules out Holyrood bid after rule change |work=[[BBC News]] |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=27 May 2021 |archive-date=20 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220113318/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53607198 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture (2021–present)==
[[File:Cabinet Secretary Angus Robertson and Deputy Governor Eleni Kounalakis at Strathcyde University - Bilateral meeting.jpg|thumb|right|Robertson with [[Lieutenant Governor of California]] [[Eleni Kounalakis]] at [[Strathclyde University]] in 2021]]

In May 2021, following the SNP's victory, he was appointed [[Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture]] by [[First Minister of Scotland|First Minister]] [[Nicola Sturgeon]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pooran |first=Neil |date=19 May 2021 |title=Angus Robertson returns to frontline politics with key role in Scottish Cabinet |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/angus-robertson-nicola-sturgeon-scottish-government-ruth-davidson-b936051.html |newspaper=[[Evening Standard]] |location=London |language=en |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604162003/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/angus-robertson-nicola-sturgeon-scottish-government-ruth-davidson-b936051.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Alex Cole-Hamilton of the Scottish Liberal Democrats said his party could not support the role, filled by Robertson. He stated "not one minute" of ministerial or civil service time should given to the "tired, old arguments about currency and about borders". However, his amendment to a Scottish Government motion appointing new ministers was rejected by 70 votes to four, with 51 abstentions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Lib Dem bid to oppose appointment of new Constitution Secretary rejected |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19317610.lib-dem-bid-oppose-appointment-new-constitution-secretary-rejected/ |last=Grant |first=Alistair |date=20 April 2021 |access-date=4 June 2021 |newspaper=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]] |location=Glasgow |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604161959/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19317610.lib-dem-bid-oppose-appointment-new-constitution-secretary-rejected/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2022 census ===
In 2022 Robertson was charged with overseeing Scotland's [[2021_United_Kingdom_census#2022_census_for_Scotland|decennial census]]. However, when only 77% of households returned the census - compared with a rate of 97% for the one in England and Wales the previous year - Robertson extended the deadline at a cost of nearly £10 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/scottish-census-shambles-after-700-000-homes-miss-deadline-l70kkxpfr | title=Scottish census shambles to cost £10m as deadline extended }}</ref> Robertson said the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] was partly to blame but told the Scottish Parliament there were "potentially serious consequences for not completing a census".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-28-04-2022?meeting=13715&iob=124481#orscontributions_M16185E422P758C2397894 |title=Scotland's Census 2022 |work=Official Report |date=28 April 2022 |publisher=[[Scottish Parliament]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/04/28/ukraine-invasion-partly-blame-scots-census-fiasco-says-nicola/ | title=Ukraine invasion partly to blame for Scots census fiasco, says Nicola Sturgeon's minister | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=28 April 2022 | last1=Sanderson | first1=Daniel }}</ref>

Robertson's attempt to defend the low response rate by invoking the Russian invasion of Ukraine was mocked by opposition politicians, who labelled Robertson's handling of the census "nothing short of disastrous" and said the SNP had been foolish not to hold it at the same time as the rest of the country when there was a significant amount of UK-wide publicity about the event.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish census deadline extended after high abstention rate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/apr/28/scottish-census-deadline-extended-due-to-lack-of-responses |date=28 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |issn=0261-3077 |access-date=7 May 2022}}</ref>

Robertson was subsequently reappointed Constitution Secretary by both [[Humza Yousaf]] in 2023 and [[John Swinney]] in 2024.

=== Meeting with Israeli diplomat ===
On 8 August 2024, Robertson met with [[Daniela Grudsky Ekstein]], the Deputy Ambassador of [[Israel]] to the UK. A photo of the meeting was later posted on the Israeli embassy's social media pages, saying that Grudsky Ekstein had discussed the release of [[Gaza war hostage crisis|Israeli hostages]] with Robertson, and that Israel was "looking forward to cooperating" with Scotland in areas including culture and renewables. The photograph provoked uproar within the Scottish National Party, whose politicians have been highly critical of Israel's conduct during the [[Gaza war]]. Several SNP MSPs and former ministers called for Robertson's resignation. Robertson met with Grudsky with the full knowledge and permission of the First Minister John Swinney, who stood by his decision to accept the Israeli embassy's request for a meeting, and defended the meeting as an opportunity to convey the Scottish Government's "consistent position on the killing and suffering of innocent civilians in the region."<ref>{{cite news |title=Angus Robertson criticised by SNP colleagues for Israel meeting |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyn63rq8n2o |last=Lockhart |first=David Wallace |date=14 August 2024 |access-date=20 July 2025 |newspaper=[[BBC News]] |language=en }}</ref>

An investigation by ''[[The Ferret (website)|The Ferret]]'' and ''[[The National (Scotland)|The National]]'' revealed in July 2025 that Swinney had actively sought a meeting with the Israeli ambassador [[Tzipi Hotovely]] from early June 2024. Emails and WhatsApp messages obtained under Freedom of Information legislation revealed that Scottish Government ministers and senior advisers were closely involved in managing the meeting, with discussions focused on communications strategy and anticipating FOI requests. A Scottish Government official was quoted as saying, "Transparency is obviously a good thing, but it takes up such a lot of our time." The minutes of the meeting between Robertson and Grudsky Ekstein were heavily redacted, but described Scotland and Israel as "critical friends". Robertson had previously claimed that one of the priorities for the meeting was to express the Scottish Government's support for an "end of UK arms being sent to Israel", however there was  no mention of this in the minutes released. Following the revelations, [[Scottish Labour]] MSP [[Mercedes Villalba]] said the Swinney's government had "actively sought a meeting with a representative of a state [[Benjamin Netanyahu|whose prime minister]] is now wanted by the [[International Criminal Court|ICC]] for crimes against humanity". [[Amnesty International]] accused the Scottish Government's actions of not matching its rhetoric, and demanded "absolute clarity" on whether Robertson strongly challenged Israel over its conduct in Gaza. [[Simon Barrow]], national secretary of the SNP Trade Union Group, the party's largest affiliate body, demanded "appropriate reparative action" on Swinney's part.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scottish Government strove to be Israel's 'critical friend' |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25327523.scottish-government-strove-israels-critical-friend/ |last=Learmouth |first=Andrew |date=20 July 2025 |access-date=22 July 2025 |newspaper=The Herald |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=SNP members call for 'reparative action' after Israel meeting minutes revealed |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25330549.snp-members-call-reparative-action-israel-minutes-revealed/ |last=Pollock |first=Laura |date=21 July 2025 |access-date=22 July 2025 |newspaper=The National |language=en }}</ref>

=== Denial of influence operations by Iran ===
IIn 2025, Robertson was asked about allegations that thousands of social media posts supporting Scottish independence originated from an [[Iran|Iranian]] state-backed influence campaign. Robertson rejected concerns that Scottish independence was being backed by Iran and denounced the allegations as "seeking to smear people in this country who believe that this country should be a sovereign state". The Scottish Conservative MSP [[Murdo Fraser]] accused Robertson of failing to recognise that "bad actors" were seeking to capitalise on the pro-independence movement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iranian bots behind thousands of Scottish independence posts |url=https://www.holyrood.com/news/view,iranian-bots-behind-thousands-of-scottish-independence-posts |first=Sofia |last=Villegas |date=25 August 2025 |access-date=3 September 2025 |website=holyrood.com }}</ref>

==Controversies==
In September 2014, Robertson – and three of his SNP colleagues – were criticised by ''The Scotsman'' and Labour MPs after they missed a vote on an amendment to the [[bedroom tax]] that would have exempted certain people in certain circumstances - with critics making the point that the SNP had made opposition to the bedroom tax a central part of its campaign for a yes vote in that year's independence referendum. The Labour's [[Johann Lamont]] said: "Far from standing up for Scotland, the SNP have stayed at home and let Scotland down." The SNP's [[Philippa Whitford]] responded: "This vote demonstrates exactly why we need independence. This was a defeat for the UK government but it doesn’t end the bedroom tax."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/snp-slammed-over-mps-no-show-bedroom-tax-vote-1527131 |title=SNP slammed over MPs no-show at bedroom tax vote |first=Tom |last=Peterkin |date=6 September 2014 |newspaper=[[The Scotsman]] |location=Edinburgh |access-date=20 April 2021 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420151537/https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/snp-slammed-over-mps-no-show-bedroom-tax-vote-1527131 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13178739.fallout-continues-snp-mps-miss-vote-bedroom-tax/ | title=Fallout continues after SNP MPS miss vote against the bedroom tax | date=7 September 2014 }}</ref> In December 2014 Robertson did turn up to division on the issue and voted for a Labour motion to scrap it.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/bedroom-tax-your-mp-vote-4830243 | title=Bedroom Tax: Did your MP vote for or against hated charge? | website=[[Daily Mirror]] | date=17 December 2014 }}</ref> Although [[Andrew George (politician)|Andrew George]]'s Affordable Homes Bill passed at the vote thanks to Labour and Liberal Democrat votes, it did not progress to become law as the Conservative government did not supply a Money Resolution required for the next stage of the process.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.andrewgeorge.org.uk/statement-adjournment-affordable-homes-bill/ | title=Statement on the adjournment of the Affordable Homes Bill | date=29 October 2014 | work=andrewgeorge.org.uk | accessdate=2 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Roderick McInnes |author2=Wendy Wilson |title=The Affordable Homes Bill 2014-15 |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn06968/ |website=[[House of Commons Library]] |access-date=5 May 2022 |date=30 December 2014}}</ref>

[[File:The New York Times Climate Hub - Closing Celebration (51671854527).jpg|thumb|left|Robertson at the New York Times Climate Hub, 2021]]

In 2015, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that Robertson's second home expenses had included a television costing £1,119, a £400 [[home cinema]] system, £500 for a bed, £20 for a corkscrew and £2,324 for a sofa bed.<ref name="telegraph1">{{Cite news |last=Watt |first=Holly |date=4 May 2015 |title=SNP's Angus Robertson claims £80,000 for second home: MPs' expenses |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5314297/SNPs-Angus-Robertson-claims-80000-for-second-home-MPs-expenses.html |newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=2015-06-01 |archive-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223053704/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5314297/SNPs-Angus-Robertson-claims-80000-for-second-home-MPs-expenses.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The home cinema system was initially denied by the expenses office; however, Robertson appealed this decision and it was subsequently awarded.

In 2017 it was reported in several newspapers that Robertson had sold his second home in London, the mortgage on which was paid on expenses, as part of his divorce settlement. Robertson had previously pledged to repay the value of the expenses on the property and donate any profit to charity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-05-07 |title=Robertson denies any wrongdoing over London flat |url=https://insidemoray.com/2017/05/robertson-denies-any-wrongdoing-over-london-flat/ |access-date=2020-10-05 |website=Inside Moray |archive-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107123354/https://insidemoray.com/2017/05/robertson-denies-any-wrongdoing-over-london-flat/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In September 2020, Robertson wrote that a rise in support for independence in opinion polls could be attributed to, "55,000 predominantly No supporting older voters passing away every year... Since 2014, this has added around 330,000 voters to the electorate, with a likely net gain of over 100,000 for independence.”<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2503876/snps-angus-robertson-condemned-for-disgraceful-comments-suggesting-elderly-deaths-were-leading-to-independence-gain/ |title=SNP's Angus Robertson condemned for 'disgraceful' comments suggesting elderly deaths were leading to independence 'gain' |first=Tom |last=Peterkin |date=20 September 2020 |newspaper=[[The Press and Journal (Scotland)|The Press and Journal]] |location=Aberdeen |access-date=20 March 2021 |archive-date=19 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210219123541/https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/2503876/snps-angus-robertson-condemned-for-disgraceful-comments-suggesting-elderly-deaths-were-leading-to-independence-gain/ |url-status=live}}</ref> His remarks were condemned as tasteless by opposition parties and his successor as MP for Moray, Douglas Ross, described them as, "Disgraceful and deeply disappointing comments from Angus Robertson, suggesting that the most vulnerable age group, who have been hardest hit through the tragic loss of so many lives throughout the pandemic, are a boost to his independence obsession. A new low for the SNP.” Robertson said his analysis was "simple statistical facts".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/09/20/nicola-sturgeon-ally-angus-robertson-criticised-saying-elderly/ |title=Nicola Sturgeon ally Angus Robertson criticised for saying elderly deaths a 'gain' for independence |first=Simon |last=Johnson |date=20 September 2020 |newspaper=[[Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |access-date=20 March 2021 |archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509124312/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/09/20/nicola-sturgeon-ally-angus-robertson-criticised-saying-elderly/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==

Robertson's second wife, Jennifer Dempsie, is a former advisor to [[Alex Salmond]]. She campaigned to inherit Salmond's [[Scottish Parliament]] seat in [[Aberdeenshire East (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Aberdeenshire East]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Tom |date=21 June 2015 |title=Salmond's former special adviser set to inherit his seat |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13413786.Salmond_s_former_special_adviser_set_to_inherit_his_seat/  |newspaper=[[Sunday Herald]] |location=Glasgow |access-date=18 October 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017074014/http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13413786.Salmond_s_former_special_adviser_set_to_inherit_his_seat/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but withdrew to focus on her business career.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Whitaker |first=Andrew |date=15 September 2015 |title=Fiona Hyslop to appear before MSPs over TITP funding |newspaper=[[The Scotsman]] |location=Edinburgh |url=http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/music/fiona-hyslop-to-appear-before-msps-over-titp-funding-1-3886801 |access-date=18 October 2015 |archive-date=19 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019041851/http://www.scotsman.com/what-s-on/music/fiona-hyslop-to-appear-before-msps-over-titp-funding-1-3886801 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{fv|date=October 2021}}

Outside politics Robertson is a music fan, and particularly likes [[Metallica]] and [[Belle and Sebastian]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2015 |title=Angus Robertson Interview: SNP Westminster Leader On Devolution, Independence, Greece...and Metallica |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/07/10/angus-robertson-interview_n_7768626.html |access-date=2015-07-11 |website=huffingtonpost.co.uk |archive-date=11 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711151217/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/07/10/angus-robertson-interview_n_7768626.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He is a supporter of the [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]] football team.<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Robertson |first=Angus |date=21 May 2016 |title=Congrats to @HibsOfficial for a well deserved victory. Like many other Hearts fans I'm delighted for all Hibs supporters. #ScottishCupFinal |user=AngusRobertson |number=734054810006237185 |access-date=14 October 2016 |archive-date=15 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515072710/https://twitter.com/AngusRobertson/status/734054810006237185 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 29 May 2021, he announced the birth of his second child.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fitzpatrick |first=Tara |date=29 May 2021 |title=SNP's Angus Robertson announces birth of second child with arrival of baby girl |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snps-angus-robertson-announces-birth-24212477 |access-date=2021-06-04 |newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]] |location=Glasgow |language=en |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604162420/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/snps-angus-robertson-announces-birth-24212477 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Honours ==
In August 2016, he was awarded the [[Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria|Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Austrian Republic]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Greg |date=18 August 2016 |title=SNP's Angus Robertson receives honour for fostering links with Austria |url=http://www.thenational.scot/news/snps-angus-robertson-receives-honour-for-fostering-links-with-austria.21296 |access-date=30 September 2016 |newspaper=[[The National (Scotland)|The National]] |location=Glasgow |archive-date=28 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828193420/http://www.thenational.scot/news/snps-angus-robertson-receives-honour-for-fostering-links-with-austria.21296 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Positions held==
; Party: {{unordered list
 | Member, National Executive, Young Scottish Nationalists (1986)
 | National organiser, [[Federation of Student Nationalists]] (1988)
 | Member, SNP International Bureau
 | Depute SNP spokesperson for Constitutional and External Affairs (1998–1999)
 | European policy adviser, SNP Group, Scottish Parliament
}}
; Parliamentary: {{unordered list
 | Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs & Culture (2021–Present)
 | SNP Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and for Defence (2001–2017)
 | SNP Spokesperson for Europe and for Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (2005–07)
 | SNP Westminster Group Deputy Leader (2005–07)
 | SNP Westminster Group Leader (2007–2017)
}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book |last=Robertson |first=Angus |title=Why Vote SNP |publisher=Biteback Publishing |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-84954-034-6}}
* {{Cite book |last=Robertson |first=Angus |title=Vienna: The International Capital |publisher=Birlinn Limited|year=2021 |isbn=978-1-78027-691-5}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{SP-MSP}}
* [https://angusrobertson.org/ personal website]
* [http://www.snp.org/angus_robertson SNP profile]
* [http://news.stv.tv/scotland/175697-your-mp-for-moray-angus-robertson/ STV News profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119180900/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/175697-your-mp-for-moray-angus-robertson/ |date=19 November 2011 }}
* [https://www.theguardian.com/politics/person/7052/angus-robertson Guardian profile]
* [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/angus_robertson/moray They Work For You]
* [http://www.publicwhip.org.uk/mp.php?mpn=Angus_Robertson&mpc=Moray The Public Whip]
* [https://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2009/6/10/interview-angus-robertson 2009 Interview: Angus Robertson – politics.co.uk]
* {{C-SPAN}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|sct}}
{{s-bef | before = [[Ruth Davidson]] }}
{{s-ttl
 | title = [[Member of the Scottish Parliament]] for {{nowrap|[[Edinburgh Central (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Edinburgh Central]]}}
 | years = [[2021 Scottish Parliament election|2021]]–present
}}
{{s-inc}}

{{s-par|uk}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Margaret Ewing]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of Parliament<br />for [[Moray (UK Parliament constituency)|Moray]]|years=[[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]]–[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Douglas Ross (Scottish politician)|Douglas Ross]]}}

{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Alex Salmond]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Scottish National Party]] in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]]|years=2007–2017}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ian Blackford]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Stewart Hosie]]}}
{{s-ttl
 |title=Depute Leader of the [[Scottish National Party]]
 |years=2016–2018
}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Keith Brown (Scottish politician)|Keith Brown]]}}

{{s-off}}
{{s-bef
 |before=[[Michael Russell (Scottish politician)|Mike Russell]]
 |as=[[Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs]]
}}
{{s-ttl
 |title=[[Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture]]
 |years=2021–present
 |rows=2
}}
{{s-inc|rows=2}}
{{s-bef
 |before=[[Fiona Hyslop]]
 |as=[[Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture]]
}}
{{s-end}}

{{Scottish Cabinet}}
{{SNP}}
{{Lothian MSPs}}
{{SNP MSPs}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robertson, Angus}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Aberdeen]]
[[Category:BBC newsreaders and journalists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Cabinet]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Scottish constituencies]]
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:People educated at Broughton High School, Edinburgh]]
[[Category:People from Wimbledon, London]]
[[Category:Politics of Moray]]
[[Category:Scottish journalists]]
[[Category:Scottish National Party MPs]]
[[Category:Scottish National Party MSPs]]
[[Category:Scottish people of German descent]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2001–2005]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2005–2010]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2010–2015]]
[[Category:UK MPs 2015–2017]]
[[Category:Members of the Scottish Parliament 2021–2026]]
[[Category:Anglo-Scots]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Grand Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria]]