Former Labour MP Tom Harris to advise on UK Government policy

Former Labour MP Tom Harris is to take up a new role within the UK government to advise on Scottish policy.

He has been appointed as a lead non-executive director for the Scotland Office and the Advocate General for Scotland.

The appointment will last three years.

Harris said: “I’m delighted to have been appointed to this role and I’m looking forward to contributing to the effective work of the UK Government in Scotland.

“This is an exciting time to be involved in advising and helping ministers deliver for the whole country.”

Harris represented the Glasgow South constituency between 2001 and 2015, and served as transport minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

He ran to be leader of Scottish Labour in 2011, but conceded defeat a week before the result was declared.

He resigned from Labour in 2019 over the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn and the row over antisemitism, writing in a column for the Telegraph that the party was “firmly and irrevocably in the hands of the hard left”.

His new role is to provide advice on policy proposals, implementation and the strategic direction of the UK government in Scotland.

Scottish secretary Alister Jack said: “As we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, recovery remains our top priority. I’m very pleased to have Tom on board to further strengthen the UK Government’s capabilities as we build back better for Scotland.”