A few weeks ago, Gordon Brown appointed former first minister, Jack McConnell MSP, as a Special Envoy for Conflict Resolution – provoking accusations that the move was “blatant political manipulation” to avoid the possibility of a by-election defeat in McConnell’s Motherwell and Wishaw seat.
The idea had originally been to appoint McConnell as the High Commissioner in Malawi – which would have sparked a by-election. Instead, the Scottish politician will have a non-resident, part-time role as a special envoy for the Prime Minister.
But what his exact job will be apparently remains unclear and the subject of some debate across Whitehall. There is no reference to the appointment – or Mr. McConnell’s terms of reference – on the No. 10 website.
The newspapers originally hailed the job as a “Special Envoy for Africa” – the role most people thought Lord Malloch Brown was brought into government to fill – but McConnell himself clearly understood his remit to be broader.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in