RICHARD Keen QC, one of Scotland's top lawyers, has, as expected, been appointed to the Scotland Office as the new Advocate General for Scotland, the most senior legal adviser to the UK Government on Scots Law.

The Herald reported last week that the 61-year-old Chairman of the Scottish Conservatives was tipped to become David Cameron's final appointment to the new Conservative Government.

Earlier this year, Mr Keen was dragged into a row over illegal proxy donors, after indicating he once gave £10,000 to the Tory Party under his wife's name. However, the Scottish Conservatives later made clear the money had come from his wife.

A former dean of the Faculty of Advocates before he was appointed to head the Management Board of the Tory Party in Scotland, the QC, who is not only a member of the Bar in Scotland but in England and Wales as well, has had an illustrious career.

Dubbed "the Rottweiler" for his courtroom ferocity, Mr Keen, a father-of-two, who lives in Edinburgh, is reputedly the highest paid member of the Scottish Bar.

Described as a "brilliant lawyer", he was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1993 and has worked on the Piper Alpha case, led the defence of Lamin Fhimah in the Lockerbie bombing trial, acted for Weir Group plc in the claims and prosecution arising out of breaches of the UN Iraq sanctions, and in 2013 was taken on to represent Andy Coulson, David Cameron's former director of communications, who is facing perjury charges in Scotland.

Mr Keen is a member of the prestigious Blackstone Chambers in London's Temple and specialises in commercial dispute resolution, banking and financial law as well as human rights.

He will have to be ennobled and is expected, as a senior legal officer, to play a key role in several Bills, most notably the constitutional ones such as the Scotland Bill, as well as the British Bill of Rights, with which the Prime Minister wants to replace the Human Rights Act. The House of Lords, where the Government does not have a majority, is likely to see some of the most forceful opposition at Westminster to the Tory plan.

As a UK Law Officer, the QC will work with the Attorney General and Solicitor General for England and Wales to provide legal advice to the UK government on the full range of Government policy and legislation and has particular statutory functions under the Scottish devolution settlement. 

Mr Keen will also represent the UK government in courts and tribunals. He will be supported by the Office of the Advocate General, which consists of lawyers and administrative staff with offices in London and Edinburgh.

 "This is a key job for Scotland and Richard is exactly the right person to take it on," declared David Mundell, the Scottish Secretary. "He is one of our most respected and experienced legal minds and will have a central role in supporting the UK Government in Scotland; not least as we work to strengthen devolution to the Scottish Parliament." 

Mr Keen said he was delighted at his new appointment, adding: "It is a great honour to join the UK Government and I look forward to working with my Ministerial colleagues to support the work of the UK Government in Scotland at this crucial point in our political and constitutional history."

The new Minister was the personal choice of Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson to become the party's Chairman in Scotland but is now expected to step down from the role he has held for the past year or so. 

Ms Davidson said she was delighted by Mr Keen's appointment, noting: "He is a lawyer of unparalleled talent and experience and will do an exemplary job advising the UK Government on issues of Scots Law and legislation."

 On a personal note, she thanked him for his "immense" work as the party chairman, noting: "I have benefitted many times from his strength, advice, generosity of spirit and the occasional 'quiet word' reining me in. I will miss his wise counsel."