Former Westminster SNP leader Stephen Flynn has been appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Transport and Tourism at the Scottish Government, with his rejigged role in John Swinney’s top team immediately giving him responsibility for the long-promised dualling of the A9 and A96 trunk roads, says Press and Journal.

Mr Flynn, formerly the SNP’s leader at Westminster, was elected to serve Aberdeen Deeside and North Kincardine at the Scottish Parliament elections on 7 May, paving his way to a top spot in the newly appointed cabinet, and replaces Fiona Hyslop who stepped down last month.

Tim Eagle, MSP for the Highlands and Islands, set out his view within minutes of the announcement.

“As someone who lives in the north-east, Stephen Flynn must make the A9 and A96 a top priority by ending the perpetual talking shops and finally getting spades into the ground to dual these roads in full,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mark Hooper MS (pictued above) has been appointed as Deputy Transport Minister as part of First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth’s ministerial team in Wales’ first ever Plaid Cymru government.

(Pictures: UK Parliament; Gov.Wales)