Ian Murray appointed culture minister in government reshuffle

Ian Murray has been appointed minister of state in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in this week’s UK Government reshuffle.

The Scottish Labour MP for Edinburgh South replaces Chris Bryant, who has moved to the Department for Business and Trade.

Murray has also become minister of state in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Working under culture secretary Lisa Nandy, Murray's brief at DCMS includes arts and libraries; creative industries; museums and cultural property; cultural diplomacy and soft power; tourism; heritage and national archives.

Murray was born and raised in the Wester Hailes area of Edinburgh. He read social policy and law at the University of Edinburgh, before working in finance at Aegon. He then joined an arts-based internet TV station as operations director. Following the collapse of the company, he started a number of events and hospitality businesses.

Murray has been an MP continually since 2010 and was the secretary of state for Scotland prior to the reshuffle, which followed deputy prime minister Angela Rayner’s resignation last week in a row over stamp duty.

Murray’s shock demotion from the cabinet last week led to discontent among Scottish Labour MPs, with some criticising prime minister Keir Starmer for his handling of the reshuffle.

In a post on X, Murray said he was “delighted to be in DCMS”, adding: “I’ve joined an absolutely fantastic team and wonderfully led by my friend Lisa Nandy.”

Nandy wrote: “Delighted to welcome Ian Murray to the DCMS team. He brings huge experience and a real passion for how the arts and creative industries can shape our communities and tell our national story.”