Humza Yousaf appoints Alex Salmond former spin doctor as top advisor

Alex Salmond’s former media chief is to become First Minister Humza Yousaf’s spokesperson.

Kevin Pringle left his job as the SNP’s communications director in 2015.

But he has now been appointed as the First Minister’s “official spokesperson and strategic political adviser”.

He first worked for the SNP in 1989 and was Salmond’s spin doctor between 2007 and 2012.

Unveiling the news in his final column for The Courier, Pringle said: “Despite all the difficulties and controversies, the SNP still seems to me to retain its hard-earned and relatively recently-acquired status of natural party of government in Scotland.

“I’m not saying this will be the case forever, but I think it holds true for now.

“Indeed, a big part of the attraction of going back to work in government is that this administration – now SNP plus Greens – still has a future, not just a past.

“There are three years to go until the next Scottish Parliament election, but what I don’t yet see is an alternative government among any of the opposition groups, with a compelling, coherent message for change.”

Pringle replaces Stuart Nicolson, who left his role as spokesman for the first minister following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.

He is expected to appear before journalists on a weekly basis at the post-first minister’s questions briefing.

In his column, Pringle also expressed a hope to work with other parties in Holyrood.

He said: “My belief is they are all in public life for the right reasons. I hope there is enough commonality of purpose at Holyrood to address the issues facing Scotland with respect as well as strong belief: partisanship balanced by a degree of collegiality.”