A TORY MSP has quit Holyrood to join the Scotland Office in Westminster as a lord, it has been confirmed.
Donald Cameron, previously a Scottish Conservatives MSP for the Highlands and Islands, has been appointed as a parliamentary under secretary of state in the Scotland Office.
So that he can do so, the King has conferred a life peerage on Cameron, making him a lord.
He will be the second unelected Lord Cameron taking up a Westminster post under Sunak – after former prime minister David's elevation in November last year.
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It is understood that he will replace Malcolm Offord, who will move to the Department of Business and Trade.
While an MSP, Cameron was the Scottish Tories' spokesperson on constitutional affairs, culture and external affairs.
Cameron also owns Achnacarry Estate in the Highland local authority area, which is estimated to be worth more than £11 million.
Scotland Secretary Alister Jack (below) said he welcomed the appointment, adding: “He is a talented lawyer as well as an experienced parliamentarian.
“I know Donald will do a great job helping us to deliver on the priorities of people in Scotland.”
Cameron was third on the Highlands and Islands list for the Scottish Conservatives in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election.
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The party elected four MSPs at the time. As Cameron was a list MSP, there will be no by-election – with another candidate on the party’s list likely to replace him.
He said he was “honoured” to have been appointed both to the Government and as a lord.
He continued: “As part of the Scotland Office team, I look forward to continuing our work representing Scotland at the heart of Whitehall, upholding the devolution settlement and ensuring Scotland continues to benefit from the UK Government’s ambitious Levelling Up agenda.”
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