Lesley Brennan sworn in as MSP

The Scottish Parliament’s newest MSP Lesley Brennan was sworn in today for a 10-week term. The Dundee Labour councillor takes Richard Baker’s regional list place after he resigned from Holyrood on Monday.

Brennan stood as a Labour candidate for Dundee East in the general election, where she made headlines by turning down a £1,000 campaign donation from former Prime Minister Tony Blair.

"Received donation from Tony Blair. Instinct was to not accept. Discussed with team. Dundee East is not accepting the £1000," she tweeted at the time, although some members of the local party said they had not been consulted.

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A supporter of Jeremy Corbyn, Brennan supported left winger Katy Clark against current leader Kezia Dugdale when the two competed to be deputy leader in 2014.

However In an interview with the Courier this week Brennan said: "These are challenging times for Scottish Labour, but in Kez Dugdale we have a new leader who is best placed to regain the trust of the people of Scotland.”

An economist specialising in health and housing, Brennan will seek re-election in May by appearing on the North East regional list. Party members are currently voting to choose the order that names on the lists appear.