The SNP has been accused of “nepotism” after their former party president was approved for a key government role.
Michael Russell, formerly president of the SNP, has been approved as chair of the Scottish Land Commission after a vote in Holyrood. The appointment has attracted ire from opposing parties, with the Scottish Conservatives claiming there was a “stench of corruption” around the appointment.
Mr Russell was voted in by 64 votes to 54, after being recommended by an independent panel which was subject to parliamentary approval. The new job involves advising Scottish ministers on land reform and use, including the SNP’s plan to break up the country’s large sporting estates to make land ownership more diverse.
But Scottish Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden told the chamber: “Make no mistake, this is a political appointment for an increasingly desperate devolved Government.”
He said the appointment is a “job for the boys” and that it “reeked of nepotism”. He added: “This is a bad judgment appointment that will not build bridges, but will sow division and be bad for our rural sector.”
Stephen Kerr, a Scottish Tory MSP, questioned his “suitability” as an “appropriate person to hold such a critical and sensitive role”.
“On top of that there is the stench of cronyism and deep cynicism from the SNP to put forward this name at this moment, on the very last moment on the very last sitting day before the Christmas recess,” he told MSPs.
“Mike Russell has engaged in personal abuse as stock in trade for his style of politics. He has gone beyond the boundary of robust political debate.”
While Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said on X, formerly Twitter: “Of all the potential candidates to be Chair of @ScottishLandCom, are we seriously expected to believe that it’s just a coincidence that SNP President Michael Russell was deemed best qualified?
“The stench of corruption around this failing SNP Govt grows ever stronger.”
SNP minister Mairi Gougeon said the code of practice for the appointment ensured the “most able candidates” were recommended. She said: “We have a process for these appointments. This is robust, fair, transparent and accountable.
“I therefore welcome its recommendation in its report to Parliament that Michael Russell be approved as the next chair of the Scottish Land Commission.”
Mr Russell had stood down as SNP president three weeks ago – having been re-elected to the post just in October. He has previously served in both Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon’s governments.
Mr Russell tweeted after his appointment: “Grateful to the Scottish Parliament for approval today of my appointment as chair designate of Scottish Land Commission after an open, competitive, independent process.”
