Anas Sarwar promoted to Labour's shadow cabinet

Mr Sarwar is to become a shadow spokesman at international development after Jim Murphy's resignation as the main spokesman following his decision to stand as Scottish party leader triggered a reshuffle tonight.

Glasgow MP Mr Sarwar announced last week that he would quit as no 2 in Scotland, after the results of the Scottish contest for the leader and deputy leaer are known mid-December. The election follows Johann Lamont's resignation as leader last month.

He tweeted: "Having campaigned for last 3 yrs as an internationalist, I'm delighted to have become Shadow Minister of State for International Development."

Mr Murphy's replacement as shadow international development secretary is Mary Creagh, while her former transport brief goes to Michael Dugher. He advised former prime minister Gordon Brown during his time at No 10.

Lucy Powell, who ran Ed Miliband's leadership campaign, has been put in charge of the day-to-day running of the party's effort to win the general election as part of a reshuffle of Labour's top team.

She becomes shadow Cabinet Office minister and vice chair of the general election campaign next year.

Insiders said that it means Mr Miliband will meet his target of at least 50 per cent of his team being female.

A senior Labour source said: "Jim's decision to stand down has created a vacancy which Ed wanted to fill with some of the party's best and most talented campaigners.

"Lucy, who ran Ed's campaign, is obviously a proven talent.

"Ed also wanted to move a step forward in his aim of having a 50/50 gender balance in the Cabinet if we win the next election.

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Anas Sarwar promoted to Labour's shadow cabinet