FORMER Scottish Labour leader has refused to take a front bench role alongside new leader Anas Sarwar.
The shake-up of Scottish Labour's front bench team sees some of the team losing roles while others have been drafted in ahead of May's Scottish Parliament election.
Sarwar said he asked Leonard to take a role on the team but his predecessor declined the offer.
Sarwar said: "I had a very positive exchange with Richard and Richard didn't feel that he wanted to come back on the front bench at this time.
"I think that's understandable but he has been nothing but supportive and warm since Saturday.
"We are both determined to work together to rebuild the Labour party going forward."
Other changes to the team include deputy leader of the party Jackie Baillie taking on Monica Lennon's health and social care brief while Lennon - who ran against Sarwar for the party's leadership - takes on the role of economy and fair work spokesperson.
READ MORE: Scottish independence referendum only important to 'Twitter bubble', Sarwar says
Daniel Johnson, the MSP for Edinburgh Southern, has been brought onto the team as the party's finance spokesperson. Michael Marra has replaced Iain Gray as education spokesperson and Sarah Boyack has replaced Claudia Beamish as the party’s environment spokesperson.
Beamish is staying on as the party’s spokesperson on the COP26 climate conference.
We have built a Campaign Cabinet that brings our party together and harnesses our talents, both in Parliament and from our wider movement.
— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) March 1, 2021
Together, we will set out a vision that focuses on what unites us a country, not what divides us. https://t.co/EBDq8tc6ue
Sarwar said: “We are only weeks away from the Holyrood election and we have built a team from both the Parliament and our wider movement for our campaign cabinet.
“I am determined to bring our party together and harness all our talent, so that together we lead Scottish Labour into this contest with a firm focus on rebuilding our country.
“In the coming weeks we will outline our vision for Scotland, with an NHS restart plan, a catch-up plan for our children, and a real vision for jobs – for now, and for the future.
“We will focus on what unites our country - not what divides it – because by working together we can build a better future for Scotland.”
READ MORE: SNP on course to win Holyrood majority despite dip in Yes support, poll shows
Full Scottish Labour front bench
Leader - Anas Sarwar
Deputy Leader and Health, Social Care and Equalities - Jackie Baillie
Economy and Fair Work - Monica Lennon
Finance - Daniel Johnson
Education and Skills - Michael Marra
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform - Sarah Boyack MSP
Justice - Neil Bibby
Communities, Local Government and Housing - Pauline McNeill
Constitution, Europe and External Affairs - Colin Smyth
Social Security - Pam Duncan-Glancy
Culture - Claire Baker
Rural Economy and Tourism - Rhoda Grant
Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity - Alex Rowley
Business Manager, Community Safety and Drugs Policy - James Kelly
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