Robertson, George Islay MacNeill (1946- )

British Labour politician, secretary of state for defence 1997-99, secretary general of NATO from 1999, born in Scotland. He entered the House of Commons, representing Hamilton, in 1978. After serving as parliamentary private secretary (PPS) to the secretary of state for social services in the last months of the Callaghan government in 1979, when Labour went into opposition he became shadow spokesperson on Scotland 1979-80, on defence 1980-81, on foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 1984-93, and on European and community affairs 1985-93. He was shadow Scottish secretary 1993-97.

He was born at Port Ellen, Isle of Islay, and educated at the University of Dundee. After graduating he worked for the General and Municipal Workers Union (GMWU) in Scotland 1969-78.

Robertson was chosen in August 1999 as secretary general of NATO to replace Spain's Javier Solana. Robertson, unanimously approved as the new secretary general by the 19 member nations of the alliance, said he would help develop a coherent defence strategy for Western Europe that would not alienate the USA. He also stated that improving relations with Russia would be one of his priorities.