Kenny MacAskill has been an MSP for the Scottish National Party (SNP) since1999. Between 1999 and 2007 Kenny served as a Member for the Lothians, before winning the constituency seat for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh in May 2007. 

Kenny MacAskill has been an MSP for the Scottish National Party (SNP) since1999. Between 1999 and  2007 Kenny served as a Member for the Lothians, before winning the constituency seat for Edinburgh East and Musselburghin May 2007.  

While the SNP was in opposition he was a senior member of the Shadow Cabinet, holding portfolios covering enterprise, transport, tourism, telecommunications and justice, as well as being deputy leader of the Holyrood Parliamentary Group. 

Following the formation of an SNP government in May 2007, Kenny became Cabinet Secretary for Justice.  

Kenny has written and edited four books on Scottish politics, Scottishsociety and the Scottish diaspora.  Kenny was educated at Linlithgow Academy and Edinburgh University and was a senior partner in a law firm until becoming an MSP. He is married with two sons.