THE head of a leading anti-independence group has quit his job after just seven months.
Former Labour MSP Graeme Pearson has stepped down as chief executive of Scotland in Union with immediate effect.
He has been replaced by former Labour MP Pamela Nash.
Mr Pearson, 67, a former senior police officer before entering politics, was appointed in January on a salary of £50,000 for 1.5 days work per week.
He admitted at the time he had “never heard” of Scotland in Union, which campaigns against a second independence referendum and claims to have around 25,000 supporters.
He said the job had become more time-consuming than he had expected, and it was right to hand over to someone who could give it a bigger commitment over the long term.
He also told the Herald he would stay on as one of the directors of the organisation’s board and as a “mentor”.
When Mr Pearson was appointed chief executive, Scotland in Union founder Alastair Cameron said it marked “a new phase in our campaign”.
On Monday, Mr Cameron said Ms Nash's arrival also marked "a new phase in our campaign”.
He thanked Mr Pearson for his service, adding: “We are delighted we will continue to benefit from his counsel and support as a director.”
Ms Nash, 33, was the MP for Airdrie and Shotts from 2010-2015 before losing her seat to the SNP, and has since worked as a charity campaigner.
She said: “Like so many other people all over Scotland, I campaigned in the 2014 referendum to keep us part of the UK because I believed it was best for our country.
“I am proud of my No vote and hoped we could move on together after such a decisive result. Sadly, many nationalists are refusing to take no for an answer.
“That’s why I want to keep making the positive case for Scotland’s place in the UK and protect the economic and social benefits we get from this partnership. I believe there is a real need for a campaign like Scotland in Union to counter the divisive rhetoric of nationalism and remind people why we are better off in the UK.”
Mr Cameron added: “Pamela’s experience in campaigning will be real asset to Scotland in Union and she will be a strong advocate for the majority of Scots who want to stay in the UK.
“Her appointment marks a new phase in our campaign as we look to move past the unwanted threats of a second referendum and help create a Scotland which prospers and thrives in the UK.”
An SNP spokesperson said: “This latest appointment shows the toxic Labour-Tory Better Together alliance is alive and well - with another Labour politician stepping up to campaign on the back of Tory money.
"Labour and the Tories’ anti-independence obsession is diverting attention away from an extreme Tory Brexit, which remains the biggest threat to Scottish jobs and the economy."
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