BORIS Johnson has found a new UK Government chief law officer for Scotland after Lord Keen resigned last month.
Keith Stewart QC, a former prosecutor, is expected to be announced as the new Advocate General for Scotland.
Lord Keen quit the position weeks ago over the controversial Internal Market Bill, which the Government admitted would allow ministers to breach international law.
READ MORE: Scottish Tory Advocate General asks to quit over illegal Internal Market Bill
He said he found it “increasingly difficult to reconcile” his obligations as a law officer and failed to “identify a respectable argument” for the legislation’s proposals.
A senior Scottish legal figure told The Herald that Keen’s replacement is “a proper toff ... in a good way”.
The new Advocate General for Scotland is likely to face challenges over the Internal Market Bill.
READ MORE: WATCH: Joanna Cherry takes Tories to task over failure to respect the law
He also faces possible court challenges on the constitution if the UK Government continues to block indyref2. An Ipsos MORI poll yesterday put support for independence at 58%, the highest figure ever recorded.
When asked if he was able to confirm his new position, Stewart said: “I wouldn’t be able to comment on any appointment, myself or someone else, as nothing has been formally announced.”
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