RHONA BRANKIN was today named as the new Communities Minister after the resignation of Labour rebel Malcolm Chisholm.
Ms Brankin, 56, is currently deputy environment minister.
Her appointment was confirmed after a 20-minute meeting at Bute House with Jack McConnell this morning.
Her appointment filled a vacancy created after Mr Chisholm controversially voted with the SNP in a debate on Trident nuclear weapons on the last day of Parliament in December - and announced that night he was quitting.
Mr Chisholm was one of four Labour members who supported the SNP's motion opposing the replacement of the nuclear submarines with up-to-date models.
He described the move at the time as a "matter of principle".
Ms Brankin, MSP for Midlothian, said: "I'm delighted to have got the job. There are some challenging times ahead"
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