EAST Lothian councillor Fiona O’Donnell has taken a step back from her leadership roles after landing a temporary job within the Scottish Labour Party. Ms O’Donnell’s role as cabinet spokesperson for health and social care has been taken over by fellow councillor Shamin Akhtar, who will also step in to replace her as chairperson of East Lothian Integration Joint Board (IJB). At a virtual meeting of East Lothian Council this week, elected members were asked to approve new appointments following the decision by Ms O’Donnell. No formal statement has been made about her new post; however, it is understood she has stepped into the Scottish Labour Party’s deputy general secretary post on an interim basis, following the departure of Anne McGinley last month.