Scottish Government Brexit adviser quits to become Boris Johnson's spad

Boris Johnson - credit PA

A Brexit adviser to Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has left the role to work for Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

David Frost will quit the Scottish Government's advisory council on Europe, as well as his post as chair of the Scottish Whisky Association, to become Johnson's special adviser.

Johnson was a leader of the campaign for a Leave vote.

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Sturgeon launched the advisory council in June to bring a range of industry figures together to advise the Holyrood government on the impact of leaving the European Union.

Announcing the body’s creation, the First Minister said: "Members will consider the impact of proposed changes to the UK's relationship with the EU on Scottish interests and advise ministers throughout our negotiations on the best way to secure Scottish interests and objectives."

Frost at the time stressed the need "to bring clarity to the transition to Brexit as soon as possible" and called on the UK government to ensure “current open trading environment is not affected” on behalf of the whisky industry.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We thank David for his work while on the Standing Council on Europe and wish him well in his new role."

A spokesman for Frost said: "David Frost, who has resigned as chief executive of the SWA, stood down from his role on the Standing Council on Europe on accepting his appointment to a role in the Foreign Office to avoid any possible conflict of interest."

The SWA has also been involved in a lengthy legal challenge to the Scottish Government's plan to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol.