Henry Baird McLeish is a Scottish politician, author, academic and former professional footballer who served as First Minister of Scotland from 2000 to 2001. With a term of 1 year, 12 days, he is the shortest serving holder of that office. He served as the Leader of the Labour Party in Scotland from 2000 to 2001.
Official portrait, 2000
McLeish, third from the right, seated at the first meeting of the Dewar government, 1999
McLeish with President of the United States George W. Bush in the Oval Office, April 2001
McLeish at a charity football match in 2011
First Minister of Scotland
The first minister of Scotland, formally the First Minister and Keeper of the Scottish Seal, is the head of the Scottish Government and the keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland. The first minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development, and presentation of the Scottish Government's policies. Additional functions of the first minister include promoting and representing Scotland in an official capacity, at home and abroad.
First Minister of Scotland
First Minister John Swinney taking the oath of office at the Court of Session
Scotland's law officers – the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General for Scotland
The First Minister becomes a member of the Privy Council upon receiving the Royal Warrant from the monarch
