Scottish MP added to Hain's NI team

A Scottish MP has been added to Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain’s ministerial team, it was announced today.

Prime Minister Tony Blair’s office confirmed that Inverclyde MP David Cairns will take over most of the portfolios of Northern Ireland Office minister Lord Rooker.

He will take charge of the departments of agriculture, regional development and environment in the North.

Lord Rooker, who is moving to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in Whitehall, will remain the Northern Ireland spokesperson in the House of Lords.

Mr Hain welcomed Mr Cairns to his team.

“David is joining a strong ministerial team and I look forward to working closely with him as he drives forward the important reforming agenda following the Review of Public Administration,” he said.

“I am delighted that Jeff Rooker will maintain his links with Northern Ireland as spokesperson in the House of Lords.”