Students at Glasgow University in Scotland have picked an international fugitive as their representative, electing Edward Snowden as college rector.

The Scottish students selected the former US security agency analyst as a sign of solidarity and support for his secret-spilling ways.

Mr Snowden has reportedly received and accepted their nomination, giving his approval through communications with his lawyer.

The post of rector at Glasgow University is largely a symbolic title, though the elected candidate is expected to attend occasional meetings with the University’s governing body.

It is likely Mr Snowden will be excused from the day-to-day activities of rectorship, given that he remains hidden in Russia after being granted temporary asylum from the long reach of a scorned US Government.

A statement from the Glasgow student body said it was; “incredibly delighted to see Edward Snowden elected as the new rector of Glasgow University.”

The University has a “virtuous tradition of making significant statements through our rectors”, the statement read.

“Our opposition to pervasive and immoral state intrusion has gone down in the records.

“What is more, we showed Edward Snowden and other brave whistleblowers that we stand in solidarity with them, regardless of where they are,” the students wrote.

Previous Glasgow University rectors have included Winnie Mandela, Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu, actor Ross Kemp and musician Pat Kane.

Mr Snowden was elected ahead of some stiff competition including champion cyclist Graeme Obree, author Alan Bissett and a local vicar.