Born in Dailly, the son of a coal miner and the youngest of nine children, I was educated at Carrick Academy in Maybole.

Full statement

I joined the Metropolitan Police as a Cadet at 16 and had a successful Police career, becoming a Detective Inspector at the age of 28 serving with the force from 1972 to 1987. During that time I was a uniform response officer as a constable, sergeant and inspector. I also served as a detective in the rank of constable, sergeant and inspector, specialising in the investigation of the most serious crimes of rape, robbery and murder.Returning to Ayrshire, I studied for a professional qualification in HR and became a Personnel and Training Executive with a major local employer for over 10 years with a further career as a professional Mediator successfully building consensus and resolving conflict.I am a former SNP Councillor in South Ayrshire and, most recently, have been Member of Parliament for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock since 2019.