PRESS RELEASE

October 29th, 2008

From the office of DUNCAN MCNEIL, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde

First moderator from Greenock, celebrates MSP

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has paid tribute local minister William Hewitt after he was named Moderator-designate of Church of Scotland.

Currently minister at Westburn Parish in Greenock, Reverend Hewitt will take on the prestigious role in 2009.

He will be the first serving minister of a church in Greenock ever to become Moderator.

Mr McNeil, who has known Reverend Hewitt for many years, congratulated the local man on his new appointment.

He said: "I was able to speak with Bill last week at an event for the Boys Brigade and wish him all the best so I am delighted that he has been chosen for this role.

"I am sure he will make an excellent moderator - it is a credit not just to him but the whole community."

Reverend Hewitt was ordained in 1977 and served as Moderator of the Presbytery of Greenock and later the first Moderator of the successor Presbytery of Greenock and Paisley.

ENDS