A HELENSBURGH MP has shared his delight after being promoted following a major reshuffle at Westminster.

Brendan O'Hara has been promoted to the position of SNP's Foreign Affairs spokesperson following a major reshuffle of Stephen Flynn's front bench team at Westminister.

He previously served as the party's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson from 2017 to 2018, the SNP Defence spokesperson from 2015 to 2017, and SNP International Development spokesperson from 2022 to 2023.

Immediately after the move was announced,  Mr O’Hara, the former chief whip, praised the work of his predecessor Drew Hendry MP, saying that there would be no change in the SNP’s “unequivocal and unwavering support for the people of Ukraine and the condemnation of Putin’s invasion”. 

Mr O'Hara said: "I am absolutely delighted with this appointment, as I have been involved in the area of Foreign Affairs and International Human Rights since first being elected back in 2015.

"I hope to take the experience of working with colleagues across parliament as chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on International Law, Justice and Accountability, and the Yazidis into my new role. I hope that that work and my being the current vice-chair of the APPGs on Genocide Prevention, South Sudan, the Hazaras, and Freedom of Religion or Belief will help with my select committee work."

The MP for Argyll and Bute has previously condemned China for its treatment of the Uyghurs, called out the Myanmar regime for its brutality against the Rohingya people and has been highly critical of Israel’s behaviour in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. He will also sit on the prestigious and Foreign Affairs Select Committee. 

Mr O'Hara added: “I want to use my experience in defending International Human Rights, promoting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) and give a voice to those people and those communities who are day-in and day-out suffering the most awful persecution or facing genocide, and whose plight has been ignored by the international community.

The Argyll and Bute MP insisted, however, that regardless of his parliamentary position, his priority remains with his constituents. 

He said: " [My] overriding priority always has been, and always will be, the welfare of my constituents who are currently facing the most awful cost of living crisis, struggling to pay their bills, put food on the table and take care of their families”.