‘One of the proudest days of my life’ Jim Leishman elected provost of Fife

Dunfermline legend Jim Leishman’s life has taken another extraordinary twist with his election as provost of Fife.

His nomination was proposed by the Labour group at the first full meeting of the new Fife Council this morning.

The Dunfermline Athletic director of football and former Courier sports columnist stood as a Labour councillor for Dunfermline Central on May 3, and won through with more than 1,600 first preference votes.

In his first speech at Fife House today, he said he would “give 105%”.

The keen poet and charity fundraiser added: “This is one of the proudest days of my life. Fife’s been good to me, and now is a chance to pay something back.”

The appointment has already provoked a Twitter frenzy, with crime writer Ian Rankin among those commenting.

The Rebus writer from Cardenden said: “Great to see Jim Leishman elected provost! Just hope he goes easy on the rhyming couplets.”

Even SNP members seemed to approve of Mr Leishman taking up the role, with the Fife and Dunfermline branches both tweeting congratulatory messages.For full reaction to Jim’s appointment, and all the other news from Fife Council’s opening meeting, see Friday’s Courier