Claire Loftus

Ms Loftus, who was DPP from 2011 until 2021, has been appointed by Scottish first minister John Swinney as one of three new independent advisers to the Scottish Ministerial Code.

The Ministerial Code is the code of conduct for members of the Scottish government — the first minister, cabinet secretaries and law officers — and junior Scottish ministers.

James Hamilton, Ms Loftus’ predecessor as DPP, has just stepped down as an adviser to the Scottish Ministerial Code after more than a decade in the role.

Ms Loftus qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and commenced her career as a prosecutor in 1993, eventually becoming DPP in November 2011 and serving in that post for 10 years.

She was recently appointed to the board of Cuan, the new statutory agency tasked with tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, and the new Bord an Gharda Síochána.

The Scottish government has said changes to the remit of the independent advisers are soon to be set out alongside a new Scottish Ministerial Code.

Mr Swinney said: “Independent advisers to the Scottish Ministerial Code play a vital role in upholding the highest standards of integrity and propriety.

“Having served as independent advisers for 13 and 11 years respectively, Lady Eilish Angiolini and James Hamilton have made significant contributions to the role. I am grateful to them both for their dedicated public service. 

“I look forward to working with Claire Loftus, Sir John Manzoni and Sir Ernest Ryder and welcome the expertise and knowledge they will bring to the role.

“The new Scottish Ministerial Code will further strengthen transparency, accountability and independent scrutiny, with independent advisers able to launch their own investigations where they consider that necessary.”