LABOUR'S former Holyrood leader, Wendy Alexander, is moving to a new high-level post in the academic world, joining the London Business School.

Ms Alexander, who represented Paisley North as MSP for 12 years until standing down last May, is to become Associate Dean in charge of degree programmes and career services at the business school.

When she announced she would not be standing again last year, she made it clear she would be leaving politics entirely and she continues to stand by that, refusing to comment on current political issues.

Similarly, she does not want to fuel arguments around motherhood and the life/work balance, believing her decision to retire from politics was misinterpreted when she talked of wanting to spend more time with her then five-year-old twins.

Nor does she want to see "turning her back on Scotland" suggestions, stressing that she continues to love Scotland and has no current plans to move to London.

Initially, at least, she will be commuting to her new post and possibly doing some working from home, where her husband, Strathclyde University Emeritus Professor Brian Ashcroft took on more family duties as he scaled down his teaching commitments.

Ms Alexander has been a visiting professor at Strathclyde University, a link she hopes to maintain.

"Quite simply, the London Business School opening is a fantastic job," she told The Herald, adding: "For a former politician in Scotland, trying to be a non-politician is difficult, but that changes with a different geography.

"In London I will have the anonymity to do a real job."