Keith Brown elected as new depute leader of the SNP

SCOTTISH Economy Secretary Keith Brown has been elected as the new depute leader of the SNP.

Mr Brown defeated grassroots activist Julie Hepburn and councillor Christopher McEleny to win the role – which was made vacant when Angus Robertson resigned after losing his seat at the House of Commons.

Thank you to all those Members of the SNP who got involved in Depute Leadership contest. Absolute privilege to be elected as Depute Leader of our Party.

— Keith Brown MSP (@KeithBrownSNP) June 8, 2018

Mr Brown said it was an “absolute privilege” to be chosen for the role – which he won with 55.2% of the vote.

He said: “This is the party I joined more than three decades ago, the party I have campaigned for and the party I have been honoured to represent in local government, in Holyrood and as a cabinet secretary.

Keith Brown has been elected as the SNP's new depute leader pic.twitter.com/td22tO2YjY

— Holyrood magazine (@HolyroodDaily) June 8, 2018

“Today, as I take on this new responsibility, our party is in good heart – and the polls show us in a commanding position at both Holyrood and Westminster, 11 years into office.

“While other parties bicker and fight, we work hard to represent the people of Scotland and win their support.”