THE leader of the Scottish Conservatives faced calls last night for an investigation after he quit a law firm following concerns of a possible conflict of interest over an airport expansion.
David McLetchie, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, signed a parliamentary motion expressing concerns at the plans for Edinburgh airport while a partner with Tods Murray, which represents the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland — opponents of the proposed expansion.
Mr McLetchie, 52, confirmed that he had tendered his resignation with immediate effect. He said that he had been due to retire from the firm later this year in any case after 29 years of service.
The move came after claims that Mr McLetchie should have declared that Tods Murray was advising the society.
The Labour Party called for a full investigation into Mr McLetchie, to see if he had been involved in any other alleged conflicts of interest.
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He insisted, however, that he did not act for the society and represented private and not corporate clients in his £25,000 to £30,000-a-year post, published in his MSP register of interests.
Mr McLetchie said: “I have been greatly concerned by the recent publicity surrounding my association with Tods Murray. However, I have no wish to see a similar situation arise again. To avoid any misconceptions in the future and be mindful of the good name of Tods Murray and the confidentiality to which its clients are entitled, I have brought forward the date of my retirement from the firm, which would otherwise have happened later this year.”
The Labour Party attacked Mr McLetchie for constantly criticising the actions of other parties, the most recent being his repeated comments over whether Jack McConnell, Scotland’s First Minister, should have declared a holiday with the BBC broadcaster Kirsty Wark. A Labour spokesman said: “It turns out that people in glass houses really shouldn’t throw stones.”
Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP leader at Holyrood, said: “I think the voters in Mr Mc-Letchie’s constituency will have something to say about the fact that he has been a part-time MSP all these years. I think this whole episode has been very damaging for Mr McLetchie and I’m sure he will be reflecting on it.”
Peter Misselbrook, executive partner of Tods Murray, said that Mr McLetchie had made a “valued contribution to the development of the firm”. He said: “David’s position has been a matter for discussion since December, with a view to his retirement from the firm later this year. David has decided that this announcement should be made now and we fully understand and appreciate his reasons for doing so.”