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Salmond officially first minister MSPs approve new Scottish cabinet
(40 minutes later)
Alex Salmond has been officially sworn in as first minister of Scotland at a brief legal ceremony. The new SNP Scottish cabinet and junior ministers have been approved by MSPs but without the help of Holyrood's opposition parties.
The SNP leader took the oath of office at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, watched by 15 senior judges. The new set-up sees First Minister Alex Salmond joined in cabinet by five secretaries, each presiding over their own departments and ministers.
The event, administered by Lord President, Lord Hamilton, took just a few minutes. Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat MSPs abstained when it came to voting in the regime in parliament.
Mr Salmond then went on to a meeting of the Scottish Parliament, where MSPs were asked to endorse his cabinet, announced after he was voted in. Earlier Mr Salmond was sworn in as first minister during a legal ceremony.
The changes will see Mr Salmond joined in cabinet by five cabinet secretaries, each presiding over their own departments and ministers. He took the oath of office at a brief event at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, administered by Lord President Lord Hamilton and watched by 15 senior judges.
Silver seal class="bodl" href="/1/hi/scotland/6663031.stm">Click here for more on the new cabinet and ministers
In total there will be 16 ministerial posts including Mr Salmond, cabinet secretaries and junior ministers, compared with 19 ministers in Jack McConnell's previous administration. The new Scottish Government comprises 16 ministerial posts in all, including Mr Salmond, cabinet secretaries and junior ministers, compared with 19 ministers in Jack McConnell's previous administration.
During the earlier Court of Session ceremony, Mr Salmond signed formal documents sealing his appointment as the first minister.During the earlier Court of Session ceremony, Mr Salmond signed formal documents sealing his appointment as the first minister.
He was flanked by Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini and Solicitor General John Beckett for the ceremony.He was flanked by Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini and Solicitor General John Beckett for the ceremony.
Mr Salmond also became the official keeper of the Seal of Scotland, a silver clamp used to authenticate official documents.Mr Salmond also became the official keeper of the Seal of Scotland, a silver clamp used to authenticate official documents.
He later went on to chair the SNP's first cabinet meeting in Bute House, the first minister's official residence.