'Enlarged' SNP cabinet announced

19 May 2011 Last updated at 16:14 GMT Alex Salmond unveiled his new, enlarged Scottish government cabinet First Minister Alex Salmond has announced a new, larger Scottish cabinet, in the wake of the SNP's landslide election victory.

All the members of the last cabinet have kept their jobs, while the promotion of three junior ministers brings its size to nine members.

Mr Salmond said his "strengthened" team would deliver on the priorities of the people of Scotland.

Frank Mulholland was named as the new lord advocate.

The QC, who takes over as head of the prosecution service, is to bring forward proposals to tackle sectarianism next week.

His previous job of solicitor general has been filled by Glasgow's senior procurator fiscal, Lesley Thomson.

The new cabinet sees Nicola Sturgeon remain deputy first minister and health secretary, with Mike Russell holding on to education, while Kenny MacAskill stays as justice secretary.

Richard Lochhead will continue as environment secretary.

John Swinney remains finance secretary, although his brief will take a focus on jobs, while Alex Neil has moved from being housing minister to a new infrastructure and capital investment role, to aid economic recovery.

Fiona Hyslop has retained responsibility for culture and external affairs, but her job has been moved from a junior ministerial position to cabinet status, as is the case for Bruce Crawford, who was named secretary for parliamentary business and government strategy.

The cabinet was announced after Mr Salmond, the SNP leader, was re-elected as first minister by MSPs and formally re-appointed to the role by the Queen.

The first minister, said: "The Scottish government secured re-election on the basis of a successful team, and I am delighted to appoint my colleagues to a strengthened cabinet team, delivering on the priorities of the people of Scotland."

Describing the law officers as "Scotland's tough new prosecution team", Mr Salmond added that Ms Thomson would be stepping up measures to seize the ill-gotten gains of criminals, for re-investment in community and other projects.

The Scottish government pointed out the size of the cabinets under Labour's Jack McConnell and Henry McLeish stood at 11, while the salaries of the new SNP cabinet will be frozen at 2008 levels.

Earlier, Mr Salmond's first appointment of the day was with judges at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

He received the Royal Warrant, signed by the Queen, before taking the official oath of allegiance, which confirmed him as first minister and Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland.

Junior ministers are being announced on Friday, with all appointments requiring parliamentary approval.

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New Stormont ministers announced

16 May 2011 Last updated at 16:05 GMT Ministers were announced at the assembly on Monday Northern Ireland's main parties have announced the names of the ministers in the new NI Assembly.

The DUP's Edwin Poots will be health minister, Sammy Wilson will lead finance, Arlene Foster will be enterprise minister and Nelson McCausland social development minister.

Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd takes on education, Michelle O'Neill agriculture and Caral Ni Chuilin, culture.

Alex Attwood, SDLP, is the new environment minister.

Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy will be minister for regional development.

Stephen Farry, Alliance Party, is the new minister for employment and learning and his party leader David Ford remains as justice minister.

The DUP nominated Paul Givan for the justice post, however, this was defeated in a vote in the assembly chamber.

Jonathon Bell, DUP, and Martina Anderson, Sinn Fein, are the two new junior ministers.

The DUP also announced that in two years' time, Simon Hamilton will take on the finance portfolio and Jim Wells will take over the health post.

Speaking to BBC Newsline on Monday afternoon, Mr Poots said he would review his predecessor Michael McGimpsey's decision not to proceed with a radiotherapy centre at Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry.

"Everything is on the table, nothing is off the table," he said.

Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said his Sinn Fein colleague John O'Dowd - the new education minister - would "look at all issues, meet all stakeholders, and decide what is the best way forward".

However, he added that education "is going to undergo much needed change in the coming period".

The SDLP's Mr Attwood said he was delighted to accept the environment portfolio.

"Local government, planning, the environment and road safety afford real opportunities to make Northern Ireland a better place to live, work and invest," he said.

Ulster Unionist Mr Kennedy said he was "honoured and humbled" at his appointment as regional development minister.

"I will urgently review the DRD policy set by the previous Sinn Fein minister, who planned to introduce new car-parking charges for towns and villages throughout Northern Ireland," he said.

Mr Farry said he saw his the role at department of employment and learning as helping Northern Ireland's economic regeneration.

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