The appointment of political heavyweight Michael Russell as chair of the Scottish Land Commission (SLC) has sparked controversy in the Scottish Parliament.

SNP veteran and former government minister Mr Russell is joined by Craig MacKenzie and Deborah Roberts as Land Commissioners, following recommendations presented by an independent panel.

The role of the Scottish Land Commission is to advise the Scottish Government on an ongoing programme of land reform and to provide leadership for change in culture and practice.

The SLC is one of a small number of public bodies for which ministerial appointments to the board are subject to parliamentary approval.

However, the move has proved controversial with Tory MSP Stephen Kerr shouting “corrupt” in the chamber during the proceedings.

Speaking in the debate, rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “We have a process for these appointments and, more generally, for all ministerial appointments that are robust, fair, transparent and accountable.

“For Scottish Land Commission appointments, we also have a parliamentary scrutiny process that is underpinned by statute that was put into effect by the Scottish Government, and rightly so.”

Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden described the appointment as “badly judged”, “bad for our rural sector” and “reeks of nepotism”

He added: “Mr Russell has described political opponents as enemies and Conservative MPs as traitors and hard right.

“This is the person who will be speaking on behalf of the Scottish Land Commission—a person who has used degrading language towards women in public and who has called people who do not agree with his politics enemies—and yet we are supposed to believe that he will now build relationships and engage with stakeholders. What an absolute joke.”

Hitting back, Ms Gougeon said: “I am not just disappointed—I am disgusted by some of the comments that I have heard about the process in the chamber this afternoon.

“Land reform is a key priority for the Government and our co-operation partners. From the contributions across the chamber, I know that the issue is important to the Parliament.

“The Scottish Land Commission is clearly important to the delivery of land reform measures that have already been enacted and to supporting further reform through advice and research.

“I want to assure the Parliament that the process has been conducted in full adherence with the requirements of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 and the preferred handling by the lead committee and that the process was fully regulated by the ethical standards commissioner.

“I am confident that the nominated chair and the two nominated land commissioners will join the Scottish Land Commission, will contribute their talents, knowledge, and expertise, and—as all other commissioners do—will make their contribution to the work of the commission with integrity, passion, impartiality, transparency, and enthusiasm.

“I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years in order to make further vital progress on our land reform journey.”

A motion to block the appointment was defeated 64 votes to 52, with former SNP leadership hopeful and now Alba MSP Ash Regan abstaining.

Commenting on the appointment a spokesperson for Scottish Land & Estates said: “We have worked constructively with the SLC and aim to continue that.

“We hope that the new chair of the SLC recognises the substantial contribution our members make to Scotland and how they have been embracing new land uses for the benefit of people, jobs, and nature.”

Taking to social media after the vote, Murdo Fraser MSP said the “stench of corruption around this failing SNP government grows ever stronger.”