Henry McLeish

After a spell in other remits, Henry McLeish returned to front-line Scottish politics to take the devolution brief within the Scottish Office team. A former professional football player, McLeish played a strategic role in Labour's Scottish general election team - and is now playing a matching role for the referendum.

Born in 1948, McLeish was educated at the Buckhaven High School, Methil and Heriot Watt University. He worked as a Research and Planning officer in Local Government and sat as a Labour Councillor on Kirkcaldy District Council. He was leader of Fife Regional Council from 1982-87. He unsuccessfully contested the constituency of Fife North East in 1979 but was elected MP for Fife Central in 1987.

From 1988 until May 1997 he was Opposition Spokesman on a variety of issues. Since May he has been the Scottish Office Minister of State for Home Affairs and Devolution.