EAST Lothian's new MP has been appointed a Government Minister.

Douglas Alexander was named the winner of the vote in Lothian East in the early hours of Friday morning, the Labour politician defeating the SNP's Lyn Jardine with a majority of 13,265.

Mr Alexander has now been named by new Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade, a junior ministerial role.

Following news of his appointment, Mr Alexander said on social media: "It is a huge privilege to be asked to serve and I’m really looking forward to getting down to work."

Mr Alexander previously served as a Cabinet minister under former Labour Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, as well as Shadow Foreign Minister under Ed Miliband before losing his seat in 2015 to the SNP's Mhairi Black.