THE SNP have confirmed that Carol Beattie, the former chief executive of Stirling Council, has been appointed as the party’s new chief executive.

She will remain in the role until a permanent appointment is made after Murray Foote quit the role on Friday.

Beattie said it is a “huge honour” to take up the position and that she will “waste no time” in helping to “support the party as a formidable national organisation”.

READ MORE: SNP confirm Carol Beattie as party's interim chief executive

The party’s depute leader Keith Brown (below) said: “Today the party’s National Executive Committee has appointed Carol Beattie as interim chief executive, and I warmly welcome her to this role at a crucial time for our party.

(Image: PA)

“She brings considerable experience to the role and her appointment will continue the work, under John Swinney’s leadership to ensure a professional, modern, dynamic election-winning organisation.

“The SNP remains the dominant political force in Scotland – and Carol Beattie’s appointment will ensure we remain equipped for the tasks ahead.”

It comes after Foote stepped down from the role on Friday, saying he could not give the party the commitment it needed from a chief executive.

However, he said that he remained in support of both Swinney and the independence cause.

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Beattie meanwhile said: “I look forward to meeting the team at the earliest opportunity and working with colleagues whose efforts have delivered the success of the SNP to date.

“I intend to waste no time in getting on with the important job of strengthening the party’s headquarters functions and supporting the party as a formidable national organisation.”