Labour appoint Lesley Laird as shadow Scottish Secretary

Lesley Laird was elected as the Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath MP

Labour have appointed one of their newly-elected MPs to be the party's shadow Scottish Secretary.

Lesley Laird was elected last week to represent Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.

Ms Laird was born in Greenock and is a former deputy leader of Fife Council. She worked in human resources before being elected as a councillor in 2012.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said she would help the party present a "positive vision" for Scotland's future.

Mr Corbyn said: "I am delighted to appoint Lesley as Shadow Scottish Secretary.

"She brings a wealth of knowledge and practical real life experience to the Commons, and will play a major role going forward as we hold the Tory Government to account.

"She will work closely with me and Kez Dugdale as we present a positive Labour vision for Scotland's future."

Ms Laird added: "My priorities are the things that people told me are important to them in the General Election campaign: that's jobs, housing and public services.

"I look forward to working closely with Jeremy and Kez as Labour unites to take on the Tories, and I will be holding David Mundell to account for the actions of his government which is causing misery right across Scotland."