By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond yesterday appointed nine special advisers at an annual cost to the taxpayer of £425,156— almost £350,000 less than the wage bill for the last Executive.

The Labour/Liberal Democrat Executive had 12 so-called “SPADs”—the maximum allowed by law—at a cost of £772,395.

Of the nine advising the nationalist government announced yesterday, one is part-time, another is part-time unpaid and a third is on a short-term contract and is expected to leave in the next few months.

The First Minister’s official spokesman said there were no plans to increase the number of special advisers.

No individual a salary details were revealed, but one adviser is to be paid between £84,000 and £100,900 a year, four are to be paid between £62,800 and £81,100 a year, and three will be paid between £38,100 and £49,300 a year.

Former SNP MSP Duncan Hamilton has been taken on part-time as special adviser to Mr Salmond.

He was Holyrood’s youngest MSP and one of the SNP’s rising stars when he was elected to Parliament in 1999, but stood down at the 2003 election to pursue a career in law.

Former Euro MP and constitutional law expert Professor Sir Neil MacCormick will advise on Europe and external relations. He is part-time and unpaid.

SNP media chief Kevin Pringle will be the main political spokesman and senior adviser on communications across all ministerial activities.

The list includes Stephen Noon, who will be a senior adviser on policy matters, Noel Dolan, who will be a senior policy adviser to deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, and John McFarlane, who be a policy adviser supporting Mr Noon.

Jennifer Dempsie, who worked in the SNP’s press office, becomes an adviser on communications and parliamentary liaison, and Geoff Aberdein will give advice on diary issues and provide support for parliamentary liaison officers.

Jennifer Erickson is being appointed on a short-term contract until the end of July to work on the setting up of a council of economic advisers.