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Daily launches ‘major expansion’ of opinion offering with high-profile signings

Brian TaylorThe BBC’s former Scottish political editor has joined a daily newspaper amid a “major expansion” of its comment and opinion offering.

Glasgow-based daily The Herald has appointed Brian Taylor as it expands its Voices section.

Former Scotsman columnist Lesley Riddoch, ex-Labour MP Brian Wilson and The Scottish Farmer’s political affairs editor Claire Taylor have also joined The Herald as part of the drive.

Professor of public health and Covid-19 expert Linda Bauld will join its award-winning team of health journalists with a regular column as part of the expansion.

In sport, former Scotland football managers Alex McLeish and Shelley Kerr will spearhead the newspaper’s coverage of Euro 2020 while Adam Hastings, the Glasgow Warriors fly-half, will contribute a regular rugby union column during major events like the Six Nations and the Autumn Tests.

The Herald is also launching ‘Voices Live’, a new platform for digital-only content every day which will be exclusive to digital subscribers.

Brian, pictured, spent 10 years working in newspapers before going on to a career as a broadcast journalist for the BBC in Scotland.

He said: “I am delighted to be joining the team at The Herald. Before a lengthy career in broadcasting, I spent nearly a decade working in newspapers.

“Now I’m back, albeit in a different role in a very different media set-up. Through all the changes, however, The Herald has remained true to its objective of serving the people of Scotland with honest reporting, frank analysis and open discourse.

“I look forward to playing my part.”

Lesley Riddoch added: “It will be great to write for The Herald about the whole gamut of social and political issues facing Scots.

“I’ve spent most of the past twenty years arguing for land reform and more genuinely local control and as director of the policy group Nordic Horizons, I’m keen to encourage Scots to know more about small countries that share our population size and latitude.

“Realistically, though, the constitutional question will dominate Scottish political life until a second indyref resolves it.”

Donald Martin, editor-in-chief at The Herald, welcomed the new appointments.

He said: “Brian Taylor is a giant among political commentators, having provided BBC Scotland viewers and listeners with intelligent, well informed analysis for many years.

“Free of the shackles of the BBC, his weekly column will be one not to be missed.

“Lesley is also a highly respected, powerful voice for Scotland and we’re also delighted to have her come on board.

“Together they will strengthen our team of brilliant writers and provide powerful voices for Scotland, ensuring our digital subscribers and print readers have the best package of opinion, analysis and insight from a Scottish perspective.”