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McConnell post averts by-election McConnell post averts by-election
(about 1 hour later)
Former first minister Jack McConnell has been appointed to a part-time diplomatic post, working with nations recovering from conflict. Former Scottish first minister, Jack McConnell, has been appointed to a part-time diplomatic post, working with nations recovering from conflict.
Mr McConnell had originally been due to take up a post as high commissioner in Malawi in the New Year.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown's appointment avoids Labour having to fight a by-election in Mr McConnell's Motherwell and Wishaw constituency.Prime Minister Gordon Brown's appointment avoids Labour having to fight a by-election in Mr McConnell's Motherwell and Wishaw constituency.
Mr McConnell, who was due to become high commissioner in Malawi in the New Year, insisted it was a "serious" post.
Labour is already facing a tough fight in the Glenrothes by-election.Labour is already facing a tough fight in the Glenrothes by-election.
That ballot, sparked by the death of Labour MP John MacDougall in August, is expected on 6 November. The ballot, following the death of Labour MP John MacDougall, is expected in November.
If Mr McConnell had taken up the Malawi post, it would have resulted in a further by-election in his Holyrood constituency. I know that it is serious job to deal with serious issues Jack McConnell
But he has now been invited by the Prime Minister to work as a special envoy, drawing up a plan for rebuilding capacity in areas blighted by conflict, with the Malawi posting on hold for now. Mr McConnell would have caused a by-election by taking up the Malawi post, which is now on hold.
Mr McConnell, who said he was thrilled at the appointment, will work part-time at the Foreign Office, but will retain his Holyrood seat. He will instead will work as an un-paid special envoy, part-time at the Foreign Office, drawing up a plan for rebuilding capacity in areas blighted by conflict such as as Rwanda and Kosovo.
Mr Brown intends to submit the plan to the United Nations. Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the creation of the job was "blatant political manipulation in order to avoid defeat in a by-election".
He added: "It is a sign of how out of touch they are that Labour think they can manipulate the process in this way, but sooner or later people are going to say to Labour 'enough is enough'."
But Mr McConnell, who accused his successor as first minister of taking a small-minded approach, said: "Having visited Rwanda in the last year and seen the devastation caused by international conflict, I know that it is serious job to deal with serious issues."
Mr McConnell said he had also received "considerable representations" from people in Motherwell and Wishaw asking him to stay on as an MSP.