Robert Winston appointed to Scots advisory council

A CELEBRITY scientist has been appointed as an adviser to the Scottish Government.

Lord Professor Robert Winston is known to television audiences for his appearances on popular shows such as Have I Got News For You and Question Time.

He has also presented shows including the Bafta-winning The Human Body and How to Improve Your Memory.

Lord Winston is one of 12 scientists newly appointed to the Scottish Science Advisory Council (SSAC), which provides independent advice to the government on science.

Professor Anne Glover, chief scientific adviser for Scotland and co-chair of the SSAC, said: "Attracting such high-profile experts to the SSAC highlights Scotland's outstanding strength as a science nation.

"I look forward to working with all our new and existing members as we explore new ways to ensure Scotland's economy and people benefit more fully from the quality of Scotland's science base."

A government spokesman said the SSAC is a group of 19 experts providing advice to benefit "Scotland's economy and its people".

The other experts are mainly professors at Scottish universities, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews and Heriot Watt.

The first meeting of the SSAC with its new members will be held today at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. But Labour peer Lord Winston will not be present.

He holds a number of honorary fellowships, including the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and has been awarded honorary doctorates at 16 universities.

Appointments to the SSAC, which are not paid, are made for a three-year period.