ONE of the big surprises of Nicola Sturgeon's new Cabinet was the appointment of Falkirk MSP Michael Matheson to the justice portfolio.

While the departure of Kenny MacAskill from Government had been widely expected, few had predicted his successor would be the previous Minister for Public Health.

Mr Matheson, a former occupational therapist, has little background in law, although he did serve as shadow deputy minister for justice from 1999 until 2004 and had a stint on the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee over roughly the same period.

The keen mountaineer, who served as a regional MSP for Central Scotland between 1999 and 2007 before winning his constituency seat, is said to have impressed behind the scenes with his performance as a minister and a demeanour described as "calm and unflappable".

His appointment marks a departure from the approach of Mr MacAskill, a lawyer by trade but whose policies did not always find favour among the legal profession.

In an eventful seven years as Justice Secretary, Mr MacAskill came under scrutiny for the freeing of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al Megrahi, on compassionate grounds and the creation of the single police force.

More recent controversies included his plan to scrap the centuries-old need for corroboration in criminal cases and the use of armed police officers on routine duties.

The proposal to end the need for corroboration was put on hold in April following an outcry from lawyers while the policy of allowing armed police to respond to routine calls was reversed last month, prompting new calls for Mr MacAskill to resign.

Ms Sturgeon, speaking after she had confirmed her new team, suggested Mr MacAskill and former Education Secretary Michael Russell were happy to leave Government.

She said: "Kenny MacAskill and Mike Russell both intimated to me they thought the time was right to step down from Government and I thank them for the contribution they have made.

"I have no doubt Kenny and Mike will continue to make a very strong contribution to ­Scottish politics."

Mr Russell released a statement in which he confirmed he would seek re-election as an MSP in 2016 but that he felt the time had been right to "pass the torch" to his successor in his Cabinet role.

Former Transport Minister Keith Brown, who had been seen as a potential successor to Mr MacAskill, was handed the Infrastructure, Investment And Cities portfolio.

Alex Neil was moved from health to take up a role in charge of Social Justice, Communities And Pensioners' Rights, while Roseanna Cunningham was promoted to take on a new brief, for Fair Work, Skills And Training.

Ms Sturgeon said the two roles would be key in delivering on what she described as the focus of her administration - tackling inequality and lifting people out of poverty.

Of the 13 ministers who will support the Cabinet, five backbenchers were drafted in.

Annabelle Ewing was handed the role of Minister For Youth And Women's Employment, while Maureen Watt replaces Mr Matheson as Public Health Minister.

Aileen McLeod has been made Minister For Environment, Climate Change And Land Reform, just three-and-a-half years after becoming an MSP.

Jamie Hepburn has been appointed Minister For Sport And Health Improvement and Edinburgh MSP Marco Biagi is the new Minister For Local Government And Community Empowerment.

Derek Mackay moves from Local Government to take on the brief as Transport And Islands Minister.

Elsewhere, Humza Yousaf has been given an amended title, becoming Minister For Europe And International Development, and Paul Wheelhouse moves from Environment to Minister For Community Safety And Legal Affairs.

Margaret Burgess remains in post as Housing And Welfare Minister, Fergus Ewing is Minister For Business, Energy And Tourism, and Joe Fitzpatrick is Minister For Parliamentary Business.

Within education, Children's Minister Aileen Campbell and Learning Minister Alasdair Allan will continue in their roles.

Ms Campbell's maternity leave will be covered by Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP Fiona McLeod.