Following the resignation of Colin Boyd as Lord Advocate, Solicitor General Elish Angiolini was nominated for the post by First Minister Jack McConnell. Beckett was in turn nominated to succeed Angiolini as Solicitor General.
Following the resignation of Colin Boyd as Lord Advocate, Solicitor General Elish Angiolini was nominated to take over the position by First Minister Jack McConnell.  Beckett was then nominated to succeed Angiolini as Solicitor General.