Macwhirter elected Edinburgh rector

Sunday Herald journalist, Iain Macwhirter has defeated George Foulkes MSP to become the University of Edinburgh's 50th rector.

The results were announced this evening at the university's Old College after voting from staff and students on both Wednesday and Thursday.

7004 votes were cast in total, voting having taken place both online and by post. Mr Macwhirter received 4822 votes (69 per cent), while Lord Foulkes received 2182 votes (31 per cent).

Iain Macwhirter said: "I am delighted that the students and staff of Edinburgh University have chosen me to be their rector. I am extremely excited to have this opportunity to take an active involvement in the university and look to ensure the interests of both staff and students are maintained.

Praising his running partner, he continued: "I would also like to take this opportunity to thank George Foulkes for running an excellent campaign and wish him all the best in his future endeavours."

Macwhirter's win marks the end of a campaign which began in January, and initially involved three candidates. George Galloway MP dropped out of the race last week and threw his backing behind Mr Macwhirter.

The rector, who chairs the university court, is elected every three years by the students and staff of the university.

Previous rectors include Winston Churchill, journalist Magnus Magnusson, Sir Alexander Fleming, and the current Prime Minister Gordon Brown - elected while we has still a student in 1972. It is now 150 years since the appointment of the first rector, William Gladstone—Chancellor of the Exchequer and later Prime Minister—in 1858.