Introduction
Ashten Regan-Denham (born 8 March 1974) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the constituency of Edinburgh Eastern since the election in May 2016. She was appointed Minister for Community Safety on 27 June 2018.
Early life
She graduated from Keele University in 1995, and from the Open University with an MSc in Development Management in 2012.
Political career
Denham was active for the "Yes Scotland" campaign and championed the Women for Independence group.
She was selected as the SNP candidate for the Edinburgh Eastern constituency in August 2015 by the local party after sitting MSP Kenny MacAskill, had announced in June that he would not stand for re-election.
She was appointed as Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs. She was a member of the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee and the Finance and Constitution Committee. In November 2017, she was moved from the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work committee to the Health and Sport Committee, where she was appointed deputy convener.
On the 27 June 2018, she was appointed Minister for Community Safety.