Reshuffle is a threat to Sarwar push

ANAS Sarwar's chances at the next Holyrood election could be scuppered by the Prime Minister's cabinet reshuffle, Labour figures have warned.

- BY HANNAH RODGER Political Editor

Senior party sources are concerned the shakeup smacks of chaotic desperation after Douglas Alexander was appointed Scottish Secretary in the hope he can turn the party's fortunes around before the vote in less than a year.

Alexander's predecessor Ian Murray was sacked as part of a reshuffle prompted by the resignation of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

She was forced to quit after being found to have broken the ministerial code when she failed to pay the correct amount of tax on a second home.

Former foreign secretary David Lammy has taken Rayner's job while Yvette Cooper has been moved to the Foreign Office.