Key figures from both sides of the Scottish independence referendum are to work together in the main pro-EU campaign’s Scottish operation.
Former Labour MP Frank Roy, who played a behind-the-scenes role in the pro-union Better Together campaign, has been appointed as campaign director for Scotland for the Britain Stronger in Europe group.
Kevin Pringle, the SNP’s former media director, has also come on board to provide communications support as the group fights for a vote to keep the UK in Europe in the in-out referendum, due to take place before the end of 2017.
A former steelworker and MP for Motherwell and Wishaw from 1997 to 2015, Mr Roy was government whip and lord commissioner of the Treasury from 2006 to 2010.
He lost his Westminster seat to Marion Fellows in the general election last year, after suffering one of the biggest swings from Labour to the SNP.
He became involved in the Better Together campaign during 2014, having been credited for running successful by-election campaigns for the Labour Party in the past.
Britain Stronger in Europe has also appointed communications firm Charlotte Street Partners to provide support to the campaign in Scotland.
This will be led by Mr Pringle, who became a partner at the firm in August after leaving his role at the SNP. Mr Pringle previously served as senior special adviser to Alex Salmond when he was first minister.
Executive director of Britain Stronger In Europe, Will Straw, said: “I am delighted to announce these appointments to our campaign in Scotland. Frank and Kevin have both served their different parties well, and I believe will serve Scotland as a whole well by working together in an inclusive Stronger In campaign.
“We are stronger, safer and better off in Europe, and Scotland has an important role to play in helping to achieve that outcome, whenever David Cameron calls the referendum.
“There will clearly be other campaigns in Scotland seeking an In vote – as there will be elsewhere in the UK – and we look forward to working alongside them.”
Mr Roy said: “I am looking forward enormously to this role. Just as there are powerful business and economic reasons to keep our EU membership, social Europe initiatives have safeguarded rights for working people that I also believe most people in Scotland and across the UK want to keep. The only way to guarantee these rights is to stay in Europe.”
Mr Pringle said: “In the independence referendum, both the Yes and No campaigns stressed the importance of European membership, and therefore we can bring people together in Scotland on what is a widely shared position to wanting to keep the benefits of remaining in the EU. Indeed, a successful In campaign can be an important element in helping to bridge the divide of the independence referendum.”
The campaign will confirm further appointments in coming weeks, including membership of an inclusive advisory group.
The announcement comes after the pro-Europe Labour Movement for Europe group launched its Scottish campaign in Edinburgh last week, with a speech from former prime minister Gordon Brown.