The head of the body responsible for Scotland's exam system was today urged to stand down by a former first minister.

Jack McConnell said he had been "stunned" by the appointment of Graham Houston as chair of the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

The appointment of a politician to that role is wrong in principle and in practice, Mr McConnell said.

He called on Mr Houston, the SNP leader of Stirling Council, to resolve the issue by voluntarily withdrawing from his appointment and, if he did not, First Minister Alex Salmond should overrule education secretary Fiona Hyslop's decision to appoint him.

Mr McConnell insisted his criticism was not personal and not intended to be party political.

"I want to change the decision, not score any party points," Mr McConnell told a Holyrood press conference.

"I don't have any personal knowledge of Graham Houston.

"He could be able, he could be a very nice, credible individual.

"But he is the wrong individual, as an active politician, to chair the SQA.

"This is not a comment on him as an individual, it's a comment on the appointment."

Announcing the appointment on Monday, Ms Hyslop said Mr Houston will bring a wealth of experience and "strong leadership abilities" to the post.

The part-time post has a salary of £13,439 for a minimum commitment of 52 days a year.

The Scottish Government said he had more than 20 years' experience in management development and coaching, and has held senior positions in the travel and leisure industries.

Before setting up a management coaching consultancy, Mr Houston was Scottish director of The Work Foundation, formerly known as the Industrial Society.

But Mr McConnell insisted it was wrong to appoint a politician to a such a key post - particularly at a time when Scotland's exam system faced major changes.

He recalled the "debacle" in the early life of the Scottish Parliament when wrong exam results were sent to thousands of youngsters in 2000.

Mr McConnell, who became education minister in November 2000, said the exam system had then been "put back on track" by consensus with all involved.

The exam qualification system had long been regarded as above politics even before the creation of the SQA.

"There would never have been a suggestion that an active politician should chair the old Scottish examinations board," he said.

The principle at stake was that the SQA and its board had to be seen to be above party politics. Mr Houston was not just a politician but a council leader, Mr McConnell went on.

"Over the next few years there will be negotiations between his council and the Government over the funding of exams, the nature of the exam system, and there will be negotiations between the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities over timing of exam changes and funding.

"He cannot be an active participant in those discussions and the chair of an independent SQA tasked with implementing the decisions - and doing so in a way that is credible for teachers, pupils and parents.

He added: "I am calling for Mr Houston to voluntarily withdraw - to recognise it was a mistake to apply for this post."

This will avoid a prolonged political row and enable a fresh appointment to be made.

"If he is not willing to withdraw, and I hope he will take some time to reflect, then I believe the First Minister should over-rule the education secretary and withdraw the appointment himself.

"One of those two courses of action is the only way to ensure the existing Scottish exam diet retains the independence and credibility and the all-party support it needs to be successful."

Mr McConnell's call was immediately taken up by the Liberal Democrats.

Lib Dem MSP Nicol Stephen said: "Many people involved in Scottish education are genuinely shocked at this announcement.

"The SNP bleated about cronyism in the opposition, yet this is one of the worst examples ever seen.

"Appointing an active, elected SNP politician as chairman of the SQA will compromise its independence.

"I hope that in the interests of the good reputation of Scottish education, councillor Houston will agree to stand down."

But Mr McConnell's call was brushed aside by a spokesman for Ms Hyslop.

"This is a fundamentally daft point by Jack McConnell," he said.

"The SQA is responsible for national exams, not Stirling exams, and there is no conceivable conflict of interest.

"The appointment announced on Monday was made in full accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's code of practice, which is the only relevant criteria to be applied."

He accused Mr McConnell of "mischief", saying Labour "has obviously abandoned attacking this appointment on party grounds, and no wonder, given the SNP administration's impeccable record and the cronyism which has long been a hallmark of the Labour party."

Of 26 chairmanship appointments made since the SNP came to power, two had Labour links, one Lib Dem, one was independent, one - Mr Houston - had SNP links and the rest had no declared affiliation, he added.

And a Scottish Government spokesman said: "This ministerial public appointment was made in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments in Scotland's code of practice.

"All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process."

He added: "There is a requirement for appointees' political activity - if there is any to be declared - to be made public, as has been the case with this appointment."

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