McConnell gets royal approval

Mr McConnell receives the Royal Warrant

Jack McConnell has received the royal seal of approval from the Queen following his re-election as first minister.

Mr McConnell, who was voted first minister by MSPs in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, spent 20 minutes with the Queen at Windsor Castle.

The Scottish Labour leader beat off the challenge of six other candidates for the first minister's post after receiving backing from Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

The 17 Lib Dem MSPs offered their support for Mr McConnell after their party agreed a coalition deal which will see them form part of Scotland's government for the next four years.

I am looking forward to appointing the ministerial team and beginning fresh work on the priorities I have set out in recent weeks

Jack McConnell

At his meeting with the Queen on Monday, he was given the Royal Warrant - the symbol of her approval of his appointment.

The first minister said after the audience: "I am very pleased to have been elected as first minister and to be formally appointed today by the Queen.

"I am looking forward to appointing the ministerial team and beginning fresh work on the priorities I have set out in recent weeks.

"There are four years ahead and there is a lot do to."

Mr McConnell will return to Scotland to be sworn into office by judges at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

He will then pick his new cabinet team.

Anti-crime agenda

Details of the new ministerial line-up are a closely guarded secret, although there are reports that Scotland's next justice minister will be a Labour MSP.

A spokesman for Mr McConnell said Labour was determined to push through its anti-crime agenda, reinforcing speculation that Scottish Lib Dem leader Jim Wallace would move on from the post of justice minister.

He said: "The justice minister will definitely be a Labour minister because it's the first minister's firm view that our reform of policing and the courts, and the introduction of measures to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, is fundamental to Labour's programme over the next four years."

Cathy Jamieson: Move speculation

Contenders for this post include current Deputy Justice Minister Hugh Henry, Education Minister Cathy Jamieson and Finance Minister Andy Kerr, according to a number of Sunday newspapers.

Reports also suggest that former parliament minister Tom McCabe could be set for a return to the Scottish Executive.

Also, plans to cut ministerial posts from 20 to as few as 16 have led some to question the future of Labour's junior ministers as well as that of Tourism Minister Mike Watson and Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm.

Mr McConnell's spokesman insisted the Scottish Labour leader had not sanctioned briefings to the media regarding "personalities", saying: "The first minister made it clear to ministers there would be no speculation."

He added: "It is true that he is considering reducing the overall size of the executive team, although no numbers have been suggested for that.

"There will inevitably be some changes - given the loss of Iain Gray, a reduction in the size of the team, and the agreement that 25% of the overall team should go to Lib Dem post holders.

"The first minister believes that the team established 18 months ago has performed well and he believes the stability he wants to see in the parliament should be reflected in the cabinet, so people shouldn't expect large scale changes."