The SNP today confirmed that Anne McLaughlin will take up the position of MSP for Glasgow left vacant by the death of Bashir Ahmad.

Ms McLaughlin is the next candidate on the SNP regional list for Glasgow and stood in Glasgow Springburn at the 2007 elections.

Anne McLaughlin (42) originally from Greenock and based in Dennistoun has been an active member of the SNP for 20 years and is currently employed as Parliamentary Researcher to Glasgow MSP Bob Doris.  She was campaign co-ordinator for the SNP at the Glasgow East by-election and recently returned from working in Sri Lanka supporting economic regeneration following the tsunami.

The Scottish Parliament today announced it will open a book of condolence in the main hall of the Parliament tomorrow (Tuesday 10th Feb) and is expected to pay tribute to Bashir Ahmad at the start of its business on Wednesday. Ms McLaughlin is then expected to take the oath later in the week if agreed by the Scottish Parliament's Business Bureau.

Anne Mclaughlin said: "Bashir Ahmad was a great colleague and an excellent MSP.

"This is not the circumstances in which I would wish to enter Parliament however it will be an honour to serve the people of Glasgow as their MSP and one I hope I will fulfil with the same warmth and humanity that Bashir brought to the job.

"Bashir was a constant encouragement to me and I along with many others will miss him deeply.

"As someone who has lived and worked in Glasgow for most of my life I am looking forward to working with and representing people across the city in the best interests of Glasgow."

Note:

Anne McLaughlin's biography

Education - Port Glasgow High School, RSAMD and University of Glasgow

Anne McLaughlin is currently employed as Parliamentary Researcher to Bob Doris.

With a background in fundraising and communications Anne recently acted as SNP Campaign Coordinator in the Glasgow East by-election.

Prior to which she spent three months as a communications consultant in Sri Lanka with Edinburgh based organisation Challenges Worldwide assisting with post tsunami economic regeneration in Sri Lanka - specifically supporting an organisation focussed on enabling people with disabilities to gain employment.

Anne McLaughlin has worked in fundraising including work for Sense Scotland and Imperial Cancer Research Fund (now Cancer Research).

Anne McLaughlin has also worked as Managing Director of Business for Scotland and Internal Communications Executive for the SNP.

She is Convener of the Glasgow Regional Association of the SNP and contested the Glasgow Spingburn seat in the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections.