A LIBDEM Lord who says he "worries every day" about the prospect of a second independence referendum is to be the next Moderator of the Church of Scotland. 

Jim Wallace will take on the position which will see him “speaking out on issues important to the Church" in May, just as the country votes in a Holyrood election in which indyref2 will be a key issue. 

The 66-year-old, who served as deputy First Minister under Donald Dewar, Henry McLeish and Jack McConnell, is only the second elder in modern times to take up the 12-month role.

The Kirk says he will be suspending his LibDem membership for the year and that he won't be campaigning in the run up to the poll. 

Wallace has previously described the SNP as "a grand master at cranking up the grievance machine".

Last year, the Tankerness Baron told the Press and Journal: "I suspect Nicola will not attempt a referendum unless she's fairly certain of winning it, but I do worry every day about it, to go through all that again."

The Kirk hasn’t shied away from constitutional politics in recent years, calling for Scots to back a Remain vote in 2016's EU referendum.

During the 2014 indyref, they held a number of events and debates across the country.

They say they "retain a position of active neutrality on the matter of Scottish Independence".

Though in 2017, after Nicola Sturgeon first asked for a Section 30 order to hold a new independence referendum, Rev Dr Richard Frazer, Convener of the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland, said it would be wrong for Downing Street to withhold it.

Frazer’s statement received a angry response from Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who said it was “inexplicable” for the Kirk to be advocating another vote.

The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said: “Rev Frazer is quite entitled to express Nationalist opinions on his own behalf, but in this case he is speaking on behalf of the whole Church of Scotland.

“When did the Church decide it was going to support the SNP position over a referendum? Was there a vote in the General Assembly? Were ordinary Kirk members like me ever consulted?

“Or is this another example of an out-of-elite at the top of the Kirk going their own way with no thought for the views of the membership?

“When we see political stances like this taken by the Kirk leadership, it is perhaps no surprise that its membership figures are in free fall, when many other churches are seeing growth.”

Speaking about his appointment, Wallace said he was "delighted to have been asked to take up the role".

He added: “I am both excited and daunted about the challenge of the task that lies ahead and to be honest I have had to pinch myself that this is actually happening.”

He was Ordained as an elder in what was St Bernard's Church in Stockbridge, Edinburgh in 1981, and has been a member of the Session of St Magnus Cathedral since 1990.

He said: “It is a core belief that if people are to live life in all its fullness as promised by Jesus, this has implications for the kind of society we want to have.

“People have to have good health, a sound education, rewarding employment and a healthy environment.

“I hope that my years of experience in public life as an MP for Orkney and Shetland then as MSP for Orkney will stand me in good stead as I carry out the duties of the Moderator of the General Assembly.”

Wallace said he was conscious that many lives have been turned upside down by Covid 19 through sickness, bereavement, the loss of a job or uncertainty.

“I believe that the Church must play a key role in helping to heal and renew Scotland after this virus emergency subsides,” he added.

The Moderator Designate said he hoped to use the role to try and promote the theme of justice - social, economic and climate – as the country rebuilds.

"Climate justice is a very real challenge and we have an opportunity, given the UN Climate Summit is scheduled to be held in Scotland next year, for the Church to be a relevant and powerful voice,” he added.

“Churches should be at the forefront of campaigning and people will hopefully make the connection that this issue is very relevant to Christians.

"We are the stewards of God’s creation and it is absolutely fundamental that the Church seeks to safeguard its integrity.”