Dear Wee Stunted Dwarf

It is with a complete lack of regret that I resign from your Scottish "Cabinet" of spineless, second-rate non-entities.

During the time I have served in your administration, I have been impressed at the consistent spinal deficiencies that run through it. Of course, I know that you set a stellar example in this regard.

I was impressed by your suggestion that you were not in favour of new nuclear generation in Scotland until the issue of waste was satisfactorily resolved. Your very strong statement that we in Scotland should not countenance any extension of nuclear power." was admirable.

I was very much less impressed by the speed at which you backed down when reproached by your masters in London.

Any proposal for new nuclear power stations will now be considered “on its merits”. There is a considerable distance between not countenancing any extension and considering any expansion on its merits.

However, the straw that broke this particular camel's back was when you suggested Britain should offer to scrap its nuclear weapons in a disarmament deal with Iran. I was amused when an English Foreign Office spokesman ridiculed your idea as "stupid" and "completely ridiculous". This was not the first time I had heard these adjectives applied to you.

I was completely unsurprised by your supine acceptance of the English Prime Minister's decision that these weapons of mass destruction would be updated and would continue to be based near Scotland's largest urban population settlement and all the attendant threats that this brings.

Unlike you and your colleagues, I am not prepared to stay silent on the issue. Unlike you and your colleagues, I am not prepared to talk the talk without walking the walk. Unlike you and your colleagues, there are some issues that are more important than my status, my ministerial salary and my pension. And unlike you and your colleagues, I am not prepared to sit on my hands while some of the vilest weapons systems devised by man are parked on my doorstep.

As my final act as a Minister, I have started an eBay auction of an item that I'm sure that you will not miss:

Big Malky's eBay Auction

Yours sincerely

Big Malky