John Wallace (Scottish politician)

John Wallace (born 25 April 1949) is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician. He served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Orkney from 1999 to 2007, and as Deputy First Minister of Scotland from 1999 to 2005, making him the longest-serving Deputy First Minister in the history of the Scottish Parliament.

Wallace was educated at Annan Academy and studied law at the University of Edinburgh. He qualified as a solicitor in 1973.

Entering politics, Wallace contested Orkney and Shetland at the 1987 and 1992 general elections. He was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, representing Orkney. He served as Deputy First Minister in the coalition government with Labour, under First Ministers Donald Dewar and Henry McLeish. In this role, he also held the portfolio of Minister for Justice.

During his tenure as Deputy First Minister, he played a key role in establishing the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission and in shaping criminal justice policy. He also oversaw significant changes to the legal system in Scotland.

Wallace resigned as Deputy First Minister in 2005 and stood down as an MSP at the 2007 election. He was subsequently appointed as a Lord Advocate's Advocate Depute, prosecuting cases in the High Court. He has also served on various boards and committees.