Under fire Health Secretary Shona Robison could face a vote of “no confidence” over controversies at NHS Tayside and NHS Highland.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie signalled that he was ready to speak to other opposition parties about the move, and appealed to SNP MSPs to back the plan too.
He made the remarks after using his keynote speech to his party’s spring conference in Aviemore to join Labour in demanding her resignation.
“We should not expect things to just carry on,” he said.
“I don’t often call for resignations. Shona Robison must accept that she is responsible.
“Change will only come when there is change at the top.
“She must resign. And she must resign now.”
He later revealed he was poised to sound out other parties over a no confidence motion
The plan emerged amid an ongoing row over financial management at NHS Tayside.
But speaking afterwards, Mr Rennie also highlighted concerns at NHS Highland, after an Audit Scotland-ordered report found the board had been paying a £200,000 contract that was not legally agreed.
He said: “It’s also together with the Caithness maternity service, that’s a clear example of an inability to explain to constituents, but also the result is that there is deep anxiety among a lot of mothers and expectant mothers about the provision of services in the north.
“But the financial issues that has now been raised at NHS Highland as well, are of deep concern as well.
“And it’s just an indication of somebody who is not on top of their brief.
“And the other issue in the north is concern about the new GP contract. That again is another example of Shona Robison not being able to explain.”
