Islands MSP appointed Minister for Europe and International Development

Western Isles MSP, Alasdair Allan, has been named as Europe and International Development Minister in the new Scottish Government.

The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, asked Alasdair Allan, who until now served as Minister for Science, Language and Scotland’s Languages is to take on his new role in Fiona Hyslop’s department for Culture, Europe and External Affairs, subject to Parliament’s approval of the appointment.

Mr Allan commented: “I feel really privileged to take on a job which builds on Scotland’s strong historic connections around the Developing World, and I hope makes some difference to the lives of people in some of the world’s poorest countries.

“The job has many challenges at a time when Scotland’s relationship with Europe and the wider world are under renewed scrutiny. I have a very distinguished predecessor in the form of Humza Yousaf.

“For the last five years I have greatly enjoyed working as Minister for Learning, Science and Scotland’s languages, at a time of huge change for Scotland’s education system, and now look forward to new challenges ahead.

“One thing that will not change is that, just as in the past, my house, my office and my primary employment are very much in the Western isles and, as before, I look forward to representing the people of the Western Isles in Parliament again.”