Lennox's anti-Aids bid gets welcome

Published on 25/08/2009 09:42

SENIOR MSPs have welcomed the offer by former Eurythmics singer Annie Lennox to become Scotland's anti-Aids ambassador.

She raised the idea when she spoke about her campaigning work on Aids and HIV at last week's Festival of Politics at Holyrood.

Now Labour former First Minister Jack McConnell and SNP former Culture Secretary Linda Fabiani have both tabled motions welcoming her offer and urging a positive response.

Mr McConnell praised Ms Lennox for her commitment to raising awareness of HIV/Aids. And Ms Fabiani said the singer would be an "ideal ambassador".

At last week's event Ms Lennox said: "I would really like, if the Scottish Parliament could use me, in some way to be their Scottish representative for women and children and HIV."

She asked Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson: "Do you think that's possible, Alex?" He replied: "What I would say, in parliament, is all things are possible."

A parliament spokeswoman said: "The Presiding Officer has written to Annie to reiterate his commitment to helping take forward her idea."

&#149 This year's Festival of Politics attracted the biggest number of visitors ever, with 4,200 people attending the 38 events.