Cathy Jamieson quits front bench to contest Des Browne's Westminster seat

Published on Tuesday 22 December 2009 16:06

A SENIOR figure is to quit Labour's Holyrood front bench after deciding to stand for a Westminster seat, it was announced today.

Cathy Jamieson is to stand down after deciding to seek the Labour nomination for the Kilmarnock and Loudon seat.

The seat is currently held by former Defence Secretary Des Browne, who is standing down at the next election.

Ms Jamieson, a former justice minister who was deputy leader of Labour in the Scottish Parliament from 2001 to last year, was health spokeswoman in the Labour shadow cabinet until October.

A reshuffle saw her replaced in that role by Jackie Baillie, while Ms Jamieson moved to the housing and regeneration portfolio.

The latest change was announced by Labour leader Iain Gray, who said the gap created by her departure would be filled by Mary Mulligan, who is already the housing spokeswoman, and by deputy Labour leader Johann Lamont, who is the equalities spokeswoman.

Meanwhile Ms Lamont will step down from her chief of staff role, which will be filled by Paul Martin.