The new Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has appointed bankbench MSP Tim Eagle straight into his new shadow cabinet.

Mr Eagle will become the new shadow cabinet secretary for rural affairs, land reform and fishing. He succeeds Rachel Hamilton MSP who has been appointed deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

Mr Eagle, a sheep farmer who became an MSP only earlier this year in March, said that he relished the opportunity to put farming, crofting and fishing back into the centre of the political debate at Holyrood.

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The Highlands and Islands MSP said: “I am truly delighted and honoured to have been entrusted by Russell with this responsibility which I do not take lightly.

“Farming, crofting and fishing are the backbone of our rural and coastal communities and have enormous economic, social and cultural significance for Scotland.

“As a farmer myself I believe I have a pretty good understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, and as a former councillor for Buckie I have a great passion for our fishing industry.

“And as a member representing the Highlands and Islands I have already engaged with many people in our island communities who, as we know, are feeling pretty let down by the Scottish Government.

“As shadow cabinet secretary I will make my first priority engaging with industry representatives the length and breadth of Scotland so that I hear first-hand what they are looking for to ensure the prosperity of their sectors.

“There is a real job to be done at Holyrood which, frankly, under the SNP has ignored rural and coastal Scotland for far too long. That neglect needs to be challenged and I will certainly be doing my best to ensure it gets the attention it deserves.”