JOHN Swinney of the SNP is about to become a rarity among leaders of significant UK political parties - he will have no personal spin doctor.
The SNP yesterday announced a series of major internal appointments, including a new chief executive for the party and a chief of staff for Nationalist MSPs in Holyrood - but no-one will speak directly for the leader in the style of Alastair Campbell for Tony Blair.
Peter Murrell, aged 36, formerly a senior party backroom staffer who has worked for the SNP in Edinburgh, London and Brussels for 14 years, has been appointed chief executive on a salary of (pounds) 35,000 in succession to Michael Russell who vacated the job when he became an MSP in 1999.
His appointment and others to be confirmed today are part of John Swinney's internal reorganisation designed to give the Nationalists an efficient campaigning machine in time for the Scottish parliamentary elections in 2003.
Mr Murrell was a major figure in the SNP's campaign in the Westminster elections this year and his appointment reflects a recommendation of a review group set up by Mr Swinney earlier this year.
Mr Swinney said: ''I will now be setting him some demanding targets to build SNP HQ into the campaigning and fund-raising centre we require to win the 2003 elections.''
Before joining the SNP
Mr Murrell worked for four years in the Church of Scotland's communications department.
Stewart Borrowman, a consultant and researcher in economic and social development, is the SNP's new chief of staff, an appointment which will earn him up to (pounds) 35,000 a year.
Colin McAllister, formerly a public affairs officer with the British Medical Association in Scotland, has been appointed the SNP's head of communications on a salary of (pounds) 25,000.
He replaces the long-serving Kevin Pringle, who was the SNP's public voice until he left after the general election to work for the party in Westminster.
Mr Pringle is said to be in line for a party nomination for a seat in the Scottish Parliament.
Phil Henderson, who was formerly a personal assistant to Mr Swinney, has a change of role and will assist Fiona Hyslop, the nationalists' business manager, with the new title of business support and leadership assistant, on a salary of (pounds) 21,000.
Ewan Crawford retains his
role as Mr Swinney's private secretary.
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