The appointment of Mr Nicolson, who was elected as an MP in 2015 and sat on the Culture and Media Select Committee for almost a decade, was announced by Cabinet Secretary for Culture Màiri McAllan.
In a press release, the government said all appointments for the unpaid post were “made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process”.
(Image: Stewart Attwood)
Mr Fraser was sceptical. He said: “This has all the hallmarks of another SNP jobs-for-the-boys appointment.
“John Nicolson spent years acting as one of the SNP’s most loyal political attack dogs, so it is extraordinary that ministers think he is the right person to help oversee one of Scotland’s national cultural institutions.
“The SNP cannot keep claiming public bodies are independent while repeatedly filling prominent positions with figures so closely associated with their own party.
“After years of politicising Scotland’s institutions, this appointment will only reinforce concerns that the SNP see public bodies as somewhere to park their allies rather than organisations that should stand above party politics.”
Responding to Mr Fraser’s comments, Mr Nicolson said: “Woof. Woof.”
The other appointees are art historian and broadcaster Dr Bendor Grosvenor, Edinburgh College of Art principal Juan Cruz, chartered accountant Eleanor Bentley, Scottish Water chief executive Alex Plant, and HR adviser Murdo Mackay.
Also joining the board is the Reverend Richard Coles, the writer and broadcaster best known for presenting BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Live for 12 years and for his stint on Strictly Come Dancing.
Rev Coles, a former member of 1980s pop band the Communards, competed in the 2017 series of Strictly with professional partner Dianne Buswell, before being eliminated in week three.
Catherine Muirden, chair of the National Galleries of Scotland board, welcomed the appointments.
She said: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of seven new trustees to the board of the National Galleries of Scotland. They will strengthen the board with a diverse range of skills, experience and perspectives that will support us as we deliver our ambitions for the future.
“These appointments reflect the specific skills and expertise identified as being important to help guide the organisation through an exciting period of development. As we continue to expand our reach, enhance free access to our collections and deliver major capital projects, the knowledge and insight these individuals bring will be invaluable.
“I have been particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm each of them has shown for supporting our mission and contributing to the future success of the National Galleries of Scotland.”
Mr Nicolson, Dr Grosvenor and Mr Cruz’s appointments run for four years from October.
Ms Bentley, Mr Plant and Mr Mackay’s appointments run from August.
On X, Mr Nicolson said he was “thrilled to have been appointed a trustee”.
“With an extraordinary collection, and exciting future plans I can’t wait to get to work with Catherine Muirden and her team,” he said.
I’m thrilled to have been appointed a trustee of the National Galleries @NatGalleriesSco With an extraordinary collection, and exciting future plans I can’t wait to get to work with Catherine Muirden and her team.
Here’s a wee painting of RLS from the collection to celebrate! pic.twitter.com/nCp43nK5v6
— JOHN NICOLSON 🇵🇸 🇺🇦 🏴 🇪🇺 (@MrJohnNicolson) August 4, 2026
In 2023, he was carpeted by the Commons Committee of Privileges, which found his conduct “highly regrettable” after he used a video on social media to reveal Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle’s private refusal to refer former Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries to the Privileges Committee over misleading evidence she gave MPs.
The Committee concluded Mr Nicolson’s tweet was “misleading” and had wrongly implied the Speaker, rather than the DCMS committee itself, was shielding Ms Dorries from consequences, and said his subsequent failure to correct the record or apologise properly “nearly crossed the line into being a contempt.”
The Committee ultimately recommended no further action after Mr Nicolson apologised in the Chamber.
The Commons had voted by 371 to 16 in November 2022 to refer the matter for investigation, following a request from Tory MP David Davis.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Board appointments to National Galleries Scotland are managed in accordance with the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments and regulated by the Ethical Standards Commissioner.”
National Galleries of Scotland declined to comment.