MacAskill is new Justice Minister
17 May 07
Justice and communities portfolio for former solicitor in reshaped Cabinet
Former practising solicitor Kenny MacAskill has been nominated as Cabinet Secretary for Justice in the restyled Scottish ministerial team under First Minister Alex Salmond.
Mr MacAskill, the SNP's justice spokesman in the last parliament, will be supported by another solicitor, Fergus Ewing, who will be styled Minister for Community Safety.
The department's brief will cover criminal law and procedure, youth justice, criminal justice social work, police, prisons and sentencing policy, legal aid, legal profession, courts and law reform, antisocial behaviour, sectarianism, human rights, fire and rescue services, community safety, civil contingencies, drugs policy and related matters, liquor licensing, vulnerable witnesses, victim support and civil law, charity law, and religious and faith organisations.
There will be only five "Cabinet Secretaries" under Mr Salmond, the others covering Finance and Sustainable Growth (John Swinney), Education and Lifelong Learning (Fiona Hyslop), Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon), and Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead). The appointments of the two law officers have yet to be announced.