Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has been appointed to the Justice Committee of the Scottish Parliament as a Parliamentary Liason Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice.

Mr Thompson's new position places him at the heart of the Scottish Government's policy making responsibilities as right-hand man to Kenny MacAskill, the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, and Fergus Ewing, Minister for Community Safety.

The new role will give the SNP MSP a key role in helping the Cabinet Secretary to push forward legislation on issues such as the current Legal Services and Alcohol Bills.

Previously the SNP's deputy whip, Mr Thompson has also served for three years on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee and two years on the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee.

The new position will involve regular meetings with the minister to discuss current issues and also gives Mr Thompson a role in policy and manifesto development in the run-up to the next Scottish Election.

"I am looking forward to my new role in Justice which will broaden my parliamentary experience and allow me to develop new areas of interest which will, hopefully, be of help to my constituents," Mr Thompson said.

Notes:

Scottish Ministerial Code Parliamentary Liaison Officers 4.6 The First Minister may, on the recommendation of a Cabinet Secretary, and following consultation with the Minister for Parliamentary Business, appoint an MSP as a Parliamentary Liaison Officer ( PLO) to support the Cabinet Secretary in the discharge of his or her Parliamentary duties.

4.7 No approach should be made to a potential Parliamentary Liaison Officer without the prior approval of the First Minister and the Minister for Parliamentary Business. Appointment as a Parliamentary Liaison Officer can be terminated at any time by the First Minister, following consultation with the Cabinet Secretary whom the PLO has been appointed to assist and the Minister for Parliamentary Business.

4.8 Parliamentary Liaison Officers are not members of the Scottish Government and may not stand in for Cabinet Secretaries at media or other events. They should also exercise discretion in any speeches or broadcasts which they may make, taking care not to make statements which appear to be made in an official or semi-official capacity.

4.9 Parliamentary Liaison Officers may be invited to attend official meetings and may be given access to Government information. Such access should be solely for the purpose of allowing PLOs to discharge their role effectively, and on a strictly confidential basis. PLOs should not, however, have access to information with a protective marking of secret or above, except on the personal authority of the First Minister. PLOs are required to exercise care in the use of any official information to which they have access in the course of their duties as a PLO and, in particular, should respect the confidentiality arrangements.

4.10 While Parliamentary Liaison Officers are not subject to the rules on private interests which apply to Ministers, they must, as a general rule, seek to avoid any real or perceived conflict of interest between their role as a Parliamentary Liaison Officer and their private interests.

4.11 Parliamentary Liaison Officers undertaking visits within the United Kingdom relating to their duties as a PLO may receive the normal Civil Service travel and subsistence allowances, as would other MSPs undertaking work for the Government.