McConnell reveals Scottish Executive nominations

Tuesday, 20 May 2003 12:00 AM

Scotland's First Minister Jack McConnell has announced his proposed Cabinet for the new Scottish Executive.

It is:

First Minister - Jack McConnell (Labour)
Deputy First Minister and Minister for Enterprise - Jim Wallace (Liberal Democrat)
Minister for Justice - Cathy Jamieson (Labour)
Minister for Finance and Public Services - Andy Kerr (Labour)
Minister for Health and Community Care - Malcolm Chisholm (Labour)
Minister for Communities - Margaret Curran (Labour)
Minister for Education and Young People - Peter Peacock (Labour)
Minister for Environment and Rural Development - Ross Finnie (Liberal Democrat)

In addition, the First Minister - who was sworn in and appointed as Keeper of the Great Seal for Scotland at the Edinburgh Court of Session earlier today and his receipt of the Royal Warrant at Windsor Castle yesterday - has named two deputy Ministerial nominations who would nonetheless sit in the 11 strong Cabinet:

Deputy Minister for Tourism - Frank McAveety (Labour)
Deputy Minister for Transport - Nicol Stephen (Liberal Democrat)

The nominations must be approved by the Scottish Parliament, but it is unlikely that Mr McConnell will not get his way, with the combined votes of Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs behind him.

Liberal Democrat leader Jim Wallace retains the post of Deputy First Minister, but has been moved from the Justice portfolio to Enterprise - so that Cathy Jamieson can oversee the implementation of Labour's cornerstone policies on youth justice.

In addition, Lord Advocate Colin Boyd QC and Solicitor General Elish Angiolini retain their positions.

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