DAVID Cameron’s adviser during the referendum campaign, and a key adviser to Margaret Thatcher over the poll tax, has been made a lord – purely so that he can fill the role of junior minister at the Scotland Office.

The SNP said the ennoblement and appointment of Andrew Dunlop was a “scandal”.

The 55- year-old, who was born and educated in Glasgow, was a key adviser to the Prime Minister last year. He was also part of the Conservative Party’s policy unit in 1989 when Thatcher’s poll tax was introduced in Scotland.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives said: “We wholeheartedly welcome Andrew Dunlop’s appointment to the Scotland Office. He played a pivotal role during the referendum campaign, winning plaudits across the political spectrum.

“In the last few years, he has developed good relations with Scotland’s key business and civic figures, helping to secure significant achievements such as the City Deal in Glasgow.

“It is great news for all those who genuinely want Scotland’s two governments to work well together to drive forward our economic recovery.”

He was also working with Conservative Party HQ when the poll tax was introduced under Margaret Thatcher.

But the SNP’s group leader at Westminster, Angus Robertson, said: “This appointment is a scandal. If one thing demonstrates how out of touch the Tories are, it’s the appointment as a government minister for Scotland of an unelected Lord who played a leading role in the imposition of the hated poll tax on Scotland.

“It is hard to believe that following the worst Tory result in a General Election in Scotland since universal suffrage that they could have fallen further in people’s estimation, but they just have with this appalling and anti-democratic appointment.

“It’s further evidence of the need for a strong Scottish voice at Westminster.”