McLeish, Henry (1948– )

Scottish Labour party politician, who became Scotland's first minister in October 2000 after the sudden death of Donald Dewar. McLeish, who had previously been deputy leader of the Scottish Labour Party, pledged to improve relations between the Scottish Executive and Labour party backbenchers and to seek greater powers for the Scottish Parliament. However, he was forced to resign in November 2001, after accusations of incompetence surrounding his handling of constituency finances culminated in a motion of no confidence directed against him by opposition parties.

The son of a manual worker from Fife, Scotland, McLeish was elected to represent Central Fife in 1987. He established himself as a Labour modernizer and in May 1997, when the Labour government came to power, was made Scottish Office minister responsible for devolution. A member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from its inception in May 1999, he served as minister for enterprise and life-long learning in the Scottish Executive before becoming first minister.