Scotland Office to get £90k spin boss

SCOTTISH Secretary Alistair Carmichael is to recruit a new spin chief who will receive up to £90,000 as the department attempts to boost its profile with the public.

Angus MacNeil said in context the proposal beggared belief

The new job comes after concerns have been raised that the Scotland Office has failed to successfully promote new devolved powers and the work of the UK government in the aftermath of the referendum.

The SNP has attacked the new role as a waste of public money.

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil said: “Given current Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael previously wanted to abolish the entire Scotland Office claiming that staff wrote ‘an average of two official letters each year’, plans to spend up to £90,000 of taxpayers’ money on one role alone beggar belief.”

But a Scotland Office spokesman said: “Communications are a key role in any government office.

“The decision was made to update the existing post of head of communications to a senior civil service grade to reflect the widening responsibilities of the role.

“This means the role must be advertised externally.”

According to the advert, the applicant will need to be “a creative and strategic thinker” with “outstanding political and communications awareness.”

It adds: “We are looking for someone with a successful track record of leading or being part of the leadership of a communications function in a complex organisation.”

The post is not a party political one, it says.

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