Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has been made a lord and minister in the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, Downing Street has said.
Lord Sarwar, who has been Scottish Labour leader since 2021, was among the first to call for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down in February.
First Minister criticises appointment
First Minister of Scotland John Swinney hit out at the “hypocrisy” of the expected appointment earlier on Wednesday.
Speaking to the Press Association, the First Minister said: “I think what it demonstrates is an appalling level of judgment by Anas Sarwar.
“He said before the (Holyrood) election he had absolutely no interest in going to the House of Lords, he only wanted to be first minister of Scotland.
“Then, after the election, Anas Sarwar has accepted a place in the House of Lords – a body, by the way, he wants to abolish.
“That is an incredible level of hypocrisy and it just illustrates what I think the Prime Minister is trying to address, which is the fact that politicians say one thing one minute and then do another thing the next minute, when it suits them.
“That, I thought, was what Andy Burnham was trying to address and to solve.
“But instead, Andy Burnham has exacerbated that sentiment within our society.”
Ministerial appointments announced
Downing Street announced 47 new ministerial appointment late on Wednesday night, along with 17 re-appointments.
Lord Sarwar said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been asked by the Prime Minister to serve every part of the United Kingdom as the Minister of State for Trade.
“Throughout my life, I have only ever been motivated by public service. The opportunity to serve our country is all I have ever asked.
“That’s why this is an opportunity I humbly accept.
“I’ve seen how Andy Burnham has worked to empower communities, to deliver change, to brings jobs and economic growth through working with businesses, to make Manchester a great place to live and do business. We have a job of work to do to replicate that in every corner of the United Kingdom.”
Acting leader of the Scottish Labour Party Jackie Baillie said further details of the leadership election will be shared in due course.
