McConnell handed Malawi post

Former Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell is to become the next British High Commissioner to Malawi, it has been announced.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown made the announcement just hours after his Labour colleague had stepped down as leader of the party in the Scottish Parliament.

Mr McConnell will continue to serve as MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw while the current High Commissioner, Richard Wildash, completes his posting, scheduled to end in 2009. The President of Malawi also welcomed the proposal.

"I've received a very kind offer from the Prime Minister to have a role in the future in Malawi that would be very special," Mr McConnell told BBC Scotland.

"I'm delighted to accept that opportunity. I'm sure in addition to representing the UK government there, it would be a real opportunity to further enhance the relationship between Scotland and Malawi and to support those thousands of Scots that are now involved in partnerships with Malawian organisations and people from Malawi on the ground."

Mr McConnell was deposed as First Minister after Labour's defeat to the SNP at the Scottish elections in May.

He revealed that he is to join the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative, leading research and project development on education in Malawi and Rwanda, as he announced in Edinburgh he was stepping down.

Mr Brown said Scotland had developed a special connection with the people of Malawi and said Mr McConnell would be suited to the role of High Commissioner. "I know he cares passionately about two of the great issues of international development - the relief of poverty and the provision of education.

"I believe that he will make an excellent representative of the United Kingdom Government in Malawi and I am pleased he has accepted the Government's offer of the position of High Commissioner to Malawi, after the present High Commissioner completes his posting at an appropriate moment."

The appointment is subject to approval of the Queen.