Michael Russell (Scottish politician)
Michael Russell | |||||||||||||||||||
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Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning | |||||||||||||||||||
In office 1 December 2009 – 21 November 2014 | |||||||||||||||||||
First Minister | Alex Salmond | ||||||||||||||||||
Preceded by | Fiona Hyslop | ||||||||||||||||||
Succeeded by | Angela Constance | ||||||||||||||||||
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Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||
Born | Bromley, Kent, England | 9 August 1953||||||||||||||||||
Nationality | Scottish | ||||||||||||||||||
Political party | Scottish National Party | ||||||||||||||||||
Spouse |
Cathleen McAskill (m. 1980) | ||||||||||||||||||
Children | One son, Cailean | ||||||||||||||||||
Residence | Edinburgh University | ||||||||||||||||||
Michael William Russell
Russell previously worked as a television producer and director and the author of seven books. He was Chief Executive of the SNP from 1994 to 1999 and was elected to the
He was then reshuffled on 10 February 2009 to become
Background
Russell was born in Bromley, Kent to an English mother and a Scottish father.[4][5] He grew up in
Russell is conversant in Gaelic and gave a speech in the language which was the first occasion the European Council was addressed in Gaelic.[10][11]
Journalist Chris Deerin described him as "a man of culture – and he is likely to tell you so".[12]
Political career
Russell was Chief Executive of the SNP in the period prior to the first Scottish election of 1999 and has been an active member of the SNP for over three decades, often working closely with former party leader Alex Salmond.
Originally a member of the
During that time he worked as executive director of Network Scotland, a media and educational company, but he gave up his party posts in 1991 to concentrate on establishing his own TV production company, Eala Bhan Ltd. He returned to active politics in December 1994 when he became the SNP's first full-time Chief Executive. In that role, he was the party's election director for the 1997 and 1999 campaigns as well as for the successful Perth and Kinross by-election in 1995 (having been deputy campaign director in the 1992 General Election and for the Govan and Glasgow Central by-elections of 1987 and 1988).
In November 2020, Russell was elected President of the SNP.[13]
Scottish Parliament
He was placed second by the party on the
When he lost his seat at the end of the first Scottish Parliament, Russell focused on his work as an author and newspaper columnist, commenting on various aspects of
Many SNP members saw Russell's absence from the Scottish Parliament as a great loss to the SNP's profile and performance there.[who?] In 2006 he was once again placed second on the SNP regional list in the South of Scotland though this time the list was chosen by a one member, one vote system for which Russell had argued over a long period and was re-elected to Parliament in 2007. He was also the party's candidate in the Dumfries constituency.
Following the SNP's narrow victory at the
In the first reshuffle of the SNP Government in February 2009, Russell was moved to be Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution.[16]
In December 2009 Russell was promoted to the
Russell left the
During the pandemic he called for Britain to join the EU's vaccine procurement scheme, tweeting about the British Government's decision to go it alone: "This idiotic refusal is all about Brexit and nothing to do with the pandemic. It will cost lives.".[20][21]
He announced in 2020 that he would not be standing for re-election in 2021.[6]
In November 2020 he was elected to the honorary position of SNP President – having campaigned on a platform of holding an independence referendum in autumn 2021.[22] Russell won 60% of the vote, beating political blogger Craig Murray,[23] who placed second, and former MP Corri Wilson, who placed third.[22]
In response to Operation Branchform and the arrest of Peter Murrell, Russell claimed that the Scottish National Party was facing its biggest crisis in 50 years.[24]
Campaigner
For many years, Russell has campaigned for justice on behalf of former police detective,
Russell supported the successful campaign to have The Tinkers' Heart in Argyll listed as a Scheduled Monument, with listing taking place in 2015.[29]
Academic career
In May 2015, the University of Glasgow announced that Russell would be taking up a part-time post as a professor of culture and governance.[30]
Controversies
Russell attracted criticism regarding the negative depictions of Scottish towns and cities included in his 1998 travel book In Waiting: Travels in the Shadow of Edwin Muir. In his book, Russell said of Glasgow: "Pull over and stop the car (if you dare) and walk into the closes smelling of urine and rubbish, cluttered with dirt and debris. It is not uncommon to have to step over a comatose body, with or without a needle by its side." The Scottish capital was also described in a less than positive light: "The flag on Edinburgh Castle is an awful mutant tablecloth and the National Trust for Scotland is arrogant and elitist."[31][32][33][34]
In November 2009, Russell was engaged in a controversy when his most senior aide was forced to resign after being exposed by the News of the World as the author of an online political blog with controversial content.[35][36]
In January 2011 Russell was referred to the parliamentary standards watchdog over allegations that he tried to influence school closures for his own electoral benefit. "The MSP was reported to Holyrood's standards watchdog after a leaked email revealed he quizzed SNP councillors about their support for the axing of local schools. The message, sent from Mr Russell's parliamentary account, concerned proposed closures in the area where he is due to seek election in May. He now represents the South of Scotland but will stand as a candidate in Argyll & Bute."[37][38][39][40] Kilmodan Primary, the school nearest to Russell's home was later amongst those saved from closure as well as Toward Primary where his wife Cathleen was headteacher (Cathleen had also been headteacher at Kilmodan).[9][41][42] In January 2011 Mrs Russell transferred to Sandbank Primary School, which was safe from closure.[43]
Russell was also accused of interfering in school closure decisions taken by councils.[44] "The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (Cosla), the body which represents council leaders, has now written to Mr Russell accusing him of failing to act in a "consistent, pragmatic and limited way"."[45] Russell was further accused of "bullying" in his dealings with Shetland Islands Council where the council was asked to postpone cost-cutting school closures. "Mr Russell was last night accused of "bullying" councils into agreeing to his moratorium. A senior local government source said: 'Russell is acting like a school bully on this and bullying councils into backing this delay.'"[46]
Books and publications
Russell has written several books, including:[47]
- Michael Russell, ed. (1990). Glasgow – The Book.
- Michael Russell, ed. (1992). Edinburgh – A Celebration. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 978-1-85158-517-5.
- Michael W. Russell (1997). A Poem of Remote Lives: Images of Eriskay, 1934 – Enigma of Werner Kissling, 1895–1988. Neil Wilson Publishing. ISBN 978-1-897784-46-4.
- Michael W. Russell (1998). In Waiting: Travels in the Shadow of Edwin Muir. Neil Wilson Publishing. ISBN 978-1-897784-63-1.
- Michael Russell (2002). A Different Country: Photographs by Werner Kissling. Werner Kissling (photog.). Birlinn Ltd. ISBN 978-1-84158-245-0.
- ISBN 978-1-84158-239-9.
- Dennis MacLeod; Michael Russell (2006). Grasping the Thistle: How Scotland Must React to the Three Key Challenges of the Twenty First Century. Argyll Publishing. ISBN 978-1-902831-86-2.
- Michael Russell (2007). The Next Big Thing: A Fable of Modern Scotland. Balnakeil Press. ISBN 978-1-905974-00-9.
- ISBN 978-1-84158-575-8.
Personal life
Russell married Cathleen MacAskill, a primary school head teacher, in March 1980 and they have one son, Cailean. Since August 1992 the family have lived in an 18th-century single storey farm dwelling in Glendaruel on the Cowal peninsula in Argyll and Bute.[9][48]
Russell previously separated from his wife for a time after he lost his seat at Holyrood in 2003 and had an affair with his researcher Eilidh Bateman.[49][50] Bateman, who was 21 years his junior, later dumped Russell just 10 days after he publicly announced he was leaving his wife.[51][52]
References
- ^ "BBC News – Election 2011 – Scotland – Argyll & Bute". bbc.co.uk. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "Michael Russell steps down as SNP president". BBC News. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
- ^ "Salmond announces his new cabinet". BBC News. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ "FreeBMD Entry Info". Freebmd.org.uk. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ^ [1] Archived 6 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c "Two leading SNP figures to step down from Holyrood". BBC. 1 March 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ "Old boy Michael Russell back at Marr College – Education". Scotsman.com. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ "Education Secretary Mike Russell: I was barred from old school for criticising it". The Daily Record. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ a b c "Me & LInks". Web.mac.com. Archived from the original on 24 July 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
- ^ "European Council landmark for Gaelic". BBC News. 9 May 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
- ^ "Mike Russell addresses EU meeting in Gaelic". BBC News. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
- ^ "Nicola Sturgeon is nurturing a new generation of SNP talent to win independence". 8 July 2021.
- ^ Learmouth, Andrew (30 November 2020). "SNP NEC results revealed: Michael Russell becomes party president". thenational.scot/. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
- ^ "A DRAMA OUT OF A CRISIS; Commentary. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 29 June 2004. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ a b "A Tale of Two Books – Scottish Review of Books". scottishreviewofbooks.org.
- ^ "Cabinet and ministers at-a-glance". BBC News. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
- ^ "Demoted SNP education secretary endorses successor". BBC News. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Brooks, Libby (22 November 2014). "Nicola Sturgeon announces Scottish cabinet with equal gender balance". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 December 2016.
- ^ "Michael Russell appointed Scottish Brexit minister". BBC News. 25 August 2016.
- ^ McGrath, Ciaran (31 March 2021). "Sturgeon's 'virtue signalling' bid to join EU vax scheme 'could have left thousands dead'". Express.co.uk.
- ^ Johnson, Simon (14 April 2021). "Nicola Sturgeon 'should thank Boris Johnson for refusing to sign up to EU vaccine scheme'". The Telegraph – via telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ a b "One in four voters in SNP president contest backed Craig Murray". The National. December 2020.
- ^ Editor, Kieran Andrews, Scottish Political. "Israel conspiracy peddler Craig Murray to address SNP activists" – via thetimes.co.uk.
{{cite news}}
:|last=
has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "SNP facing 'biggest crisis in 50 years' - Mike Russell". BBC News. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 11 April 2023.
- ^ Scottish Parliament's Justice 1 committee report Archived 5 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine (pages 189–190 deal with Ms McKie's out-of-court compensation award)
- ^ Severin Carrell, Scotland correspondent (29 June 2007). "Libyan jailed over Lockerbie wins right to appeal". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ John Robertson (20 May 2009). "Lockerbie bomber's legal team puts forward appeal bid". Edinburgh: The Scotsman. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
- ^ "McKie inquiry evidence to start". BBC News. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 2 June 2009.
- ^ "Tinker's Heart campaign pays off with official recognition". HeraldScotland. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ Denholm, Andrew (11 May 2015). "Former SNP minister joins Glasgow University". The Herald. Glasgow. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- ^ Kevin Schofield (23 February 2009). "Exclusive: SNP's Mike Russell blasted over book which knocks Scotland". The Daily Record. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ "Features : Dailly's weekly blog : THE FIRM : SCOTLAND'S INDEPENDENT LAW JOURNAL". firmmagazine.com. 2 March 2009. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
- ^ Johnson, Simon (23 February 2009). "Travel guide by Salmond's independence minister attacks 'grimy' Scotland". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ "SNP's Mike Russell championed Tory-style voucher system for Scots education – Politics". scotsman.com. 1 December 2009. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ "Parties demand Salmond holds blog smear inquiry". BBC News. 29 November 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "SNP aide Mark MacLachlan forced to quit over smears – News – Scotsman.com". Scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Campbell, Rita (3 January 2011). "Article – Education secretary accused of meddling over schools plans". Press and Journal. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "'Duplicitous' Mike Russell should go, say critics – News". Scotsman.com. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ Robbie Dinwoodie, Chief Scottish Political Correspondent (4 January 2011). "Russell is accused of meddling in schools closure bid". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ "Michael Russell 'compromised' after school closures e-mail leak – News". Scotsman.com. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ "1998: Mike Russell helps save school. 2010: Same primary faces axe again – News". Scotsman.com. 26 October 2010. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
- ^ Gordon Neish (26 October 2010). "Bleak News For Cowal Schools". Dunoon-observer.com. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
- ^ unknown title[dead link]
- ^ Johnson, Simon (15 June 2011). "Mike Russell's 'intolerable pressure' on council over rural school closures". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ Andrew Denholm Education Correspondent EXCLUSIVE (19 April 2011). "Don't interfere in school closures, Russell is told – Herald Scotland | News | Education". Herald Scotland. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "Minister accused of acting like school bully – Scotsman.com News". Edinburgh: News.scotsman.com. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "Michael Russell, Esq, MSP Authorised Biography – Debrett's People of Today, Michael Russell, Esq, MSP Profile". Debretts.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ "About Mike | Mike Russell MSP for South of Scotland". 13 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 March 2010. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
- ^ "SNP tracks e-mail that revealed Mike Russell had left his wife for researcher". Herald Scotland. 27 May 2003. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ "LOVE RAT NAT; SNP's Russell walks out on wife for affair with his researcher. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 26 May 2003. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ "There's no fool like an old fool; Love-cheat Nat dumped by his young girlfriend. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 5 June 2003. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
- ^ "Blonde dumps top Nat love-rat Russell. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 5 June 2003. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
External links
- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Michael Russell
- Michael Russell on Twitter
- Michael Russell on Facebook
- Michael Russell on Flickr
- Michael Russell's channel on YouTube
- Michael Russell on Blipfoto
- Michael Russell's column at the Cowal Courier