Scottish health minister Susan Deacon has appointed Dr Colin Currie as a special adviser.

Dr Currie, a consultant at Astley Ainslie Hospital in Edinburgh, who works in orthopaedic rehabilitation, is a long-term Labour adviser and friend of chancellor Gordon Brown.

A spokesperson said: 'He will be providing assistance with speeches and additional support on policy where necessary.

'He has not been brought in as a spinner - he will not talk directly to the media - but as a political appointment.'