He was the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow Anniesland from a by-election in 2000 (following the death of the incumbent, First Minister Donald Dewar) until losing his seat in the 2011 election.

[2] Born in Glasgow, Butler graduated from the University of Stirling and Notre Dame College of Education in Bearsden.

[4][5] The Bill was based on recommendations from the Scottish Law Commission intended to bring about fairer levels of compensation for victims of wrongful death cases (e.g. industrial accidents and disease) and their loved ones.

After losing his Holyrood seat, he was selected as a Labour candidate for the Greater Pollok ward in the Glasgow City Council elections in 2012[6] and topped the poll with 2,462 first preferences.

[7] Butler is married to Patricia Ferguson, a former Labour MSP and former Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, who currently serves as MP in the House of Commons.