Team to lead campaign group for Scottish independence unveiled

Board: Sir George Mathewson is taking up the role of honorary vice-president of Yes Scotland.© STV

The eight members of the board who will lead the campaign group for Scottish independence have been announced.

The advisory board for Yes Scotland will be chaired by former MP Dennis Canavan, whose appointment was announced last week.

He will be joined by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, property developer Dan Macdonald, solicitor Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, actress Elaine C Smith, socialist politician and former MSP Colin Fox, musician Pat Kane, businesswoman Sarah-Jane Walls and restaurateur Andrew Fairlie.

Sir George Mathewson, former chairman of The Royal Bank of Scotland, is taking up the role of honorary vice-president of Yes Scotland.

Although he will not sit on the board, Sir George will be available to offer advice and guidance.

Yes Scotland was launched with a high-profile event in May, bringing together pro-independence politicians and supporters, including famous faces such as actors Brian Cox and Alan Cumming.

The opposing No campaign held its launch a few weeks later, with former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling heading up the Better Together group.

Blair Jenkins, chief executive of Yes Scotland, said: "This advisory board brings a rich diversity of experience, knowledge and skills to what will be the biggest campaign of its kind ever launched in this country.

"This is a broad church of opinions, ideas and visions, but with one shared goal — to deliver an independent Scotland.

"The advisory board will help to shape the tone and content of the Yes Scotland campaign, and make sure we present a strong and confident case for independence."

Mr Jenkins said that other board members could be added as the campaign goes on.

He hoped this would include a representative from the Scottish Green Party after its conference in October.

The party announced last month that it was delaying signing up to the Yes Scotland group until a formal decision was taken by its members.

There will also be a Yes Scotland advisory council of local and regional representatives of the campaign from all over Scotland.

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