Blair McDougall lands Jim Murphy advisor role

Blair McDougall led the campaign to keep Scotland in the UK. Picture: Jane Barlow

BETTER Together campaign director Blair McDougall has been appointed to Jim Murphy’s campaign team in his bid for the Scottish Labour Party leadership, it has been reported.

BuzzFeed News are reporting that McDougall - who ran David Miliband’s campaign for the Labour Party leadership in 2010 - will act in an advisory role to the Eastwood MP and Shadow International Development Minister.

McDougall was a special advisor to Ian McCartney between 2004 and 2007, and James Purnell (2007-08) during the Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Better Together Communications Director Rob Shorthouse was also involved in setting up Mr Murphy’s campaign but it is understood that he will not be formally involved over the next few weeks.

Earlier this week it was announced that MSPs James Kelly and Jenny Marra would lead Mr Murphy’s campaign, with more appointments set to be confirmed over the weekend.

Mr Murphy is due to officially launch his campaign with a rally in Edinburgh on Saturday.

He faces competition from Neil Findlay MSP and Sarah Boyack MSP for the party’s leadership.