Gray’s pride at promotion

Airdrie and Shotts MP Neil Gray has been asked to take up a front bench position.

Mr Gray, previously the SNP spokesperson on fair work and employment, has been asked by the party’s new Westminster leader Ian Blackford to head up the social justice portfolio.

He will also be lead spokesperson on a new inclusive growth policy team, combining social justice and the economy.

Mr Gray told the Advertiser:“I was delighted and a bit taken aback by Ian Blackford’s request.

“I was hoping to stay with fair work and employment but being asked to take on social justice, a topic that i care deeply about, is an unbelievable honour.

“I fully intend to work hard and justify the faith put in me by the group leader.”

Mr Gray added:“The new post means that the folk in Airdrie and Shotts will be able to see me a lot more during TV coverage of Parliament but it will not mean that I do less constituency work.

“I hope, through being a front bencher, I will be able to highlight issues that affect my constituents in a far more direct way.”