Earlier, Scotland’s First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney wished Sarwar well in his “exciting new job” but he was critical of Burnham’s decision.
Swinney said that giving Sarwar “a job for life in the House of Lords and a job in the UK government is in my view a very, very strange way of trying to rebuild the confidence of the public in politics”.
Scottish Green Party co-leader Gillian Mackay called Sarwar a “chancer”, adding: “He has gone from promising to scrap the House of Lords to taking a seat in it.
“He has spent years attacking the very institution he is now preparing to join. The hypocrisy is breath-taking.”
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: “Anas Sarwar repeatedly told Scots his only focus was serving Scotland and becoming first minister.
“Given he was one of the loudest voices calling for Keir Starmer to go, people will inevitably ask whether he always had one eye on a role at Westminster.
“Scottish voters will rightly feel they’ve been let down by yet another Labour broken promise.”
Meanwhile Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said he had “tremendous respect” for Sarwar’s “contribution to Scottish public life”.
He added: “Being a party leader can be hard. It takes its toll on individuals and on family life, but I am glad that he is still going to be playing a role in the life of our country.”
