McConnell told: pick Motherwell or Malawi

The former first minister has been warned to set a date for quitting as an MSP and becoming high commissioner in the African country

The government of Malawi yesterday challenged Jack McConnell to choose between remaining a member of the Scottish parliament and becoming British high commissioner in the African country.

Henri Mumba, Malawi’s deputy minister of foreign affairs, warned the former first minister that his failure to set a date to take up the diplomatic post is “unsatisfactory” and means Malawi is faced with a period of damaging uncertainty.

McConnell was awarded the post by Gordon Brown after agreeing to stand down as Scottish Labour leader after the party’s election defeat last year.

Last month, he was criticised by the foreign affairs select committee at Westminster for refusing to stand down as an MSP to ensure a seamless transition with Richard Wildash, the current high commissioner, who departs the post in January.

McConnell told the committee in April he had still not agreed a starting date and might not even take up the post next year.

The committee suggested that his reluctance to surrender his Motherwell and Wishaw seat is politically motivated because of fears Labour will lose the subsequent by-election. McConnell’s majority at the last Holyrood election was cut to 5,938, with a 6.9% swing from Labour to the SNP.

Mumba said government officials in Malawi have been surprised at the possibility of a long gap between the present high commissioner leaving and McConnell’s starting date.

“We ask that he quietly decides whether to quit as MSP and come to Malawi or decides to serve his constituency,” he said. “We would like to urge both the British authorities and Mr McConnell himself to resolve the situation quickly so that our country is adequately represented by the British government.

“Although we have very little control over this, we feel that Malawi might suffer if Mr

McConnell does not make a decision quickly.”

The SNP said McConnell should choose between Motherwell and Malawi and accused him of hanging on to save Labour’s blushes.

“The high commissioner to Malawi should be a strong representative of the country, and Malawi clearly wants someone to take up that position as soon as possible,” said a spokesman for the nationalists.

“This just increases the pressure on McConnell to make up his mind quickly. It’s not sustainable that he’s going to be the high commissioner to Malawi and the MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw at the same time. We are ready for that by-election whenever he does it.”

The Foreign Office said it wants McConnell in post as soon as possible.

Last month, it emerged that McConnell will take on his role as high commissioner to Malawi alone after his wife decided to stay in Scotland to pursue her career.

Bridget McConnell, chief executive of Culture and Sport Glasgow, will remain in Glasgow to continue preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and to complete a university doctorate.

Jack McConnell has long-standing links with the African country, one of the poorest in the world. He is credited for being instrumental in persuading the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative — the charitable foundation set up by Bill Clinton, the former US president, and Tom Hunter, the Scottish billionaire — to work in Malawi.

As first minister, McConnell unveiled a Scottish executive action plan that included £3m a year in funds for charities working in the African nation. He also helped to launch a cash appeal.

McConnell’s posting will entitle him to a diplomatic car, a staff of 40 and a colonial-style official residence in the Malawi capital, Lilongwe.