This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/6244653.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brankin to fill communities post Brankin to fill communities post
(about 2 hours later)
Rhona Brankin has been appointed as Scotland's new communities minister.Rhona Brankin has been appointed as Scotland's new communities minister.
The move is a promotion for the Midlothian MSP, who previously served as the deputy environment minister.The move is a promotion for the Midlothian MSP, who previously served as the deputy environment minister.
She replaces Malcolm Chisholm, who was forced to quit before Christmas after voting with the SNP to oppose the replacement of Trident.She replaces Malcolm Chisholm, who was forced to quit before Christmas after voting with the SNP to oppose the replacement of Trident.
Ms Brankin, 56, a former education lecturer, took up her current Midlothian seat in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003.Ms Brankin, 56, a former education lecturer, took up her current Midlothian seat in 1999 and was re-elected in 2003.
She was appointed as deputy culture and sport minister when she was first elected and moved to the post of deputy environment and rural development minister in 2000. She said she was "delighted" to have been given the job.
In the same year she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and successfully underwent surgery. "There are some challenging times ahead but I'm particularly pleased we have got a responsibility to publish a document recognising the benefits of our ageing population as well as some of the challenges," she added.
"But of course we've also got some exciting work to be done with young people, volunteering and tackling a range of issues."
We're got some exciting work to be done with young people, volunteering and tackling a range of issues Rhona Brankin Communities minister
Her appointment was widely welcomed by colleagues, opposition politicians and relevant agency organisations.
Archie Stoddart, director of Shelter Scotland, said he hoped Ms Brankin would show as much commitment to housing and homelessness issues as her predecessor had.
"It is imperative Ms Brankin, along with the deputy minister Des McNulty, makes the case for more housing for Scotland and delivers the increased investment for the affordable housing that Scotland desperately needs," he added.
Nicola Sturgeon, deputy SNP leader, wished Ms Brankin well but used the appointment as an opportunity to tackle Jack McConnell on his Trident policy.
"The hard fact is that her appointment came about only because Mr McConnell couldn't stand to have anyone with integrity in his cabinet and forced Malcolm Chisholm out," she said.
Sarah Boyack will move from the backbenches into the post of deputy environment minister.
Courting controversyCourting controversy
In 2001 she courted controversy over fishing boat decommissioning, prompting angry fishermen to burn an effigy of her. Ms Brankin's most recent promotion comes after many years in deputy positions.
Though she later lost her job when Jack McConnell formed his first cabinet in November that year, she returned three years later as deputy health minister. She was appointed as deputy culture and sport minister when she was first elected, moved to the post of deputy environment and rural development minister a year later, and in 2001 courted controversy over fishing boat decommissioning, prompting angry fishermen to burn an effigy of her.
Though she later lost her job when Mr McConnell formed his first cabinet in November that year, she returned three years later as deputy health minister.
In this post, the former special needs teacher hit out at dentists for leaving the NHS and creating drastic shortages, accusing one who moved 1,000 patients out of the NHS of "a political stunt".In this post, the former special needs teacher hit out at dentists for leaving the NHS and creating drastic shortages, accusing one who moved 1,000 patients out of the NHS of "a political stunt".
The following year she returned to her old job as deputy environment minister where she unveiled an ambitious strategy to expand Scotland's forest industry.The following year she returned to her old job as deputy environment minister where she unveiled an ambitious strategy to expand Scotland's forest industry.
She is married with two grown-up daughters.She is married with two grown-up daughters.