Jim Murphy, the Europe Minister, is being lined up to become the next Secretary of State for Scotland in a future Cabinet reshuffle, it emerged last night.

Jim Murphy, the Europe Minister, is being lined up to become the next Secretary of State for Scotland in a future Cabinet reshuffle, it emerged last night.

Senior Whitehall sources told The Herald that the option is "being considered" by Gordon Brown, who, it is believed, is keen for a Cabinet member to have more time to devote to Scottish matters.

The move would help the Prime Minister keep a stronger focus on Scotland at a time when Labour's fortunes north of the border are at a low ebb. Equally, it would enable Des Browne, currently both the Secretary of State for Scotland and for Defence, to concentrate solely on the armed forces and their work in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He has come under intense criticism from both the military top brass and the Conservatives for being only the "part-time" Defence Secretary. Mr Browne has insisted that the vast bulk of his time is devoted to military matters.

It is thought that Mr Murphy, 40 - often regarded as a rising star in the Brown administration - could combine being Scottish Secretary with his role at the Foreign Office as Europe Minister but this would also lead to expectations that the MP for East Renfrewshire would be elevated to the Cabinet.

The Herald was told how Mr Murphy had impressed the PM with his recent work taking the highly contentious Lisbon Treaty through the Commons. Another Whitehall source noted: "He is a huge political talent. For the man who can defuse the Lisbon Treaty, Alex Salmond will be small beer."

The timing of any Cabinet reshuffle, large or small, is, however, unclear. A change-round often takes place just before Westminster rises for its summer recess next month. Alternatively, Mr Brown could wait until the autumn or even later to make any changes to his frontline team.

Mr Murphy was unavailable for comment last night.