Jim Murphy MP is being tipped to be named as Secretary of State for Scotland during a summer Cabinet reshuffle, Holyrood understands.

Murphy, who is currently Minister for Europe, would succeed current Secretary of State for Scotland Des Browne, leaving questions hanging over whether Browne will continue purely as Defence Secretary.

While the role of Secretary of State has become diminished in recent years, becoming a part-time position in 2003, Holyrood understands that it is to be returned to a full-time Cabinet post.

The primary role of the Secretary of State for Scotland is, “to promote the devolution settlement and to act as guardian of it.” The role is supported by the Scotland Office, which at present is a distinct entity within the Ministry of Justice.

However, a spokesman for the First Minister said that a decade into devolution in Scotland, the Scotland Office is, “an anomalous department that fulfils no constructive role and that a complete review of its role would have been a preferred option.”

He continued: “The Scotland Office is the lost department. The SNP don’t see its continuation as a real option and would prefer to see the devolved administrations dealing directly with No.10 through the Cabinet Office.”

Murphy, who was born in Glasgow, was elected MP for East Renfrewshire in 1997 at the age of 29.

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