Alexander's cabinet return ruled out

Published on Monday 19 May 2003 01:00

JACK McConnell will today finalise plans for his new Scottish cabinet, bringing in a Labour MSP as justice minister and ruling out the return of Wendy Alexander.

The First Minister will reduce the membership of the 20-strong Scottish Executive by one or two and confirm that the Liberal Democrats, his partners in the new coalition, will be given an extra ministerial post.

Mr McConnell yesterday discussed his proposals with Jim Wallace, the deputy First Minister. Mr Wallace, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, was justice minister in the last administration, but will now be given a new post in the Scottish cabinet - possibly the enterprise brief - with his former role taken over by a Labour MSP.

Mr McConnell will work on the details of his new team of senior and deputy ministers today and make an announcement tomorrow.

There was speculation at the weekend that Ms Alexander, who unexpectedly resigned as enterprise minister a year ago, was being considered as health minister. It was reported that the Paisley North MSP had been approached by the First Minister’s office.

However, that was categorically denied yesterday. A senior source close to Mr McConnell said there was "no element of truth" in the suggestion and that Ms Alexander had already made it clear she did not wish to return to the cabinet.

Her abrupt resignation from the wide-ranging enterprise post sent shockwaves through the Executive and the political establishment last year, bringing suggestions of a policy rift with Mr McConnell.

The appointment of a Labour MSP to the justice post underlines Mr McConnell’s determination to put the tackling of crime at the top of his agenda in the new administration.

A spokesman for the First Minister said: "The justice minister will be a Labour minister because it’s the First Minister’s firm view that our reform of policing and the courts, and the introduction of measures to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, is fundamental to Labour’s programme." Possible contenders for the post include Cathy Jamieson, the current education minister and Andy Kerr, the finance minister.

It is thought Mr Wallace will move to the role of enterprise minister. The Lib Dems also want to have a role in the Executive’s finance department.

Some Executive changes are inevitable because of the election defeat of Iain Gray, former minister for enterprise. Elaine Murray, formerly deputy culture minister, has made it known to the First Minister that she does not wish to be included in the next Executive.

The size of the Executive will be reduced, though possibly only by one or two rather than the three or four suggested at the weekend.

"The First Minister believes that the team established 18 months ago has performed well and he believes the stability he wants to see in the parliament should be reflected in the cabinet, so people shouldn’t expect large scale changes," Mr McConnell’s spokesman said.

Mr McConnell is due to meet the Queen today to receive the royal warrant confirming him as First Minister.