EAST Lothian Liberal Democrats have appointed a former army officer and freelance journalist as their new convener.

Former convener Kit Fraser resigned three weeks ago just months after taking up the position, citing “disappointment” with the party’s leader Willie Rennie.

Stuart Crawford, who represented the party in the Haddington and Lammermuir council ward by-election in 2019, has taken on the role on a short-term basis.

Mr Crawford, who has been a member of the East Lothian Liberal Democrats for nine years and was a member of its executive committee, will hold the post until the party’s AGM in November.

A former army officer, he is now a political and media communications consultant and freelance journalist.

He has lived in Haddington since leaving the army in 1999.

Born and educated in Glasgow and Somerset, Mr Crawford spent the earlier part of his life abroad in various countries before settling in the county at the end of his military career.