McConnell accused of new job delay

ORMER first minister Jack McConnell yesterday faced accusations that his appointment as Britain's High Commissioner in Malawi may be delayed to avoid creating a politically awkward by-election for Labour.
Mr McConnell, appearing before the foreign affairs committee at Westminster, revealed that he may not take up the post next year, despite the fact that the current ambassador will stand down on 31 January.

Conservative MP John Horam said it appeared the government wanted to have some "wriggle room" over when Mr McConnell took up the post to prevent an embarrassing by-election defeat in Scotland.

Mr McConnell said: "I don't have an expectation that this new position will start early next year or even next year. I think it will be determined by the interests of the UK government."