Alex Salmond has called on Prime Minister David Cameron to abolish the Scotland Office in recognition of the new political landscape north of the border.
Writing for the Press and Journal today, the newly-elected Gordon MP said the appointment of a Tory Scottish secretary would be an “insult to the country”.
Mr Cameron was last night putting the finishing touches on his first all-Conservative ministerial team after winning a surprise majority at last week’s election.
North Sea oil and gas leaders were waiting to hear who the new energy secretary would be after the previous occupant, Ed Davey, became one of several leading Liberal Democrats to lose their seats.
Energy ministers Matt Hancock and Amber Rudd were among those tipped for the post.
A questionmark was hanging over the position of Scottish secretary, previously held by Liberal Democrat Alistair Carmichael, after the Conservatives were once again left with just one MP in Scotland, David Mundell.
Mr Cameron will either have to give the job to Mr Mundell or an MP for a seat outside Scotland. He will also have to appoint a Scotland Office minister, the job currently held by Mr Mundell.
But Mr Salmond said the entire department should be scrapped, as he speculated on the Tory leader’s decision.
He wrote: “I have a much better idea for the prime minister. When you get to the Scottish secretary instead of appointing mark it down as ‘none of the above’.
“Abolish the Scotland Office altogether and demonstrate some understanding of the fundamental change that has taken place in Scotland.
“Any appointment of a Scottish Secretary would be an insult to the country and it would become really embarrassing for Mundell himself.”
Other candidates to become Scottish secretary might have been Aberdeen-raised Michael Gove or Perth-born Michael Fallon.
However, it was announced yesterday that Mr Gove would become the new justice secretary, while Mr Fallon will remain as defence secretary.
Mr Gove succeeds Chris Grayling, who moves to become leader of the Commons, where he will oversee any moves to devolve further powers to Scotland.
Chancellor George Osborne, Home Secretary Theresa May, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan will remain in their posts.