Call to change rules on MSP expenses to restore confidence

GEORGE Reid, Holyrood's Presiding Officer yesterday called for a "radical" overhaul of MSPs' expenses, claiming the

current system could tarnish the public's perception of the Parliament.

In his last major pronouncement, Mr Reid said the controversial Edinburgh accommodation allowance, that allows MSPs to buy flats in the capital and claim for mortgage interest, needed to be looked at.

Critics say the system allows politicians to make big profits from rising property prices while taxpayers pay the bills.

The contentious issue has seen Nicol Stephen, the deputy first minister, Tavish Scott, the transport minister and John Home Robertson, the Labour backbencher, all put under the spotlight. But other MSPs were careful not to criticise what they called "the most transparent" expenses system in the world.

Mr Reid has been Presiding Officer since 2003 and is soon to return to international aid work. He left with a note of caution for fellow MSPs.

In a "legacy paper", the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, which he heads, advised its successors what improvements could be made, in particular to the expenses system.

"I think personally we need a fairly radical look at the whole structure of allowances and we should do so transparently," said Mr Reid.

He said the allowances system was brought in "lock, stock and barrel" from Westminster, including an allowance for MSPs living far away from the parliament. However this has led to problems. He said the system could be adjusted, but it will need "completely reworking" if the accommodation allowance is to be reformed.

The review could be carried out by the Senior Salaries Review Body or senior figures from industry.

Mr Reid himself was entitled to a flat but has never taken advantage of the system, preferring to stay in a hotel at a modest saving to the taxpayer, because "in politics, perception is everything".

"I think our successors will give due thought to perhaps an external valuation of the whole allowances system."

Tommy Sheridan, the leader of Solidarity, welcomed Mr Reid's comments. He said: "The perception of the Scottish people is that MSPs have been enriching themselves at the taxpayer's expense, and they are right - we need an independent review with representatives of the people of Scotland deciding the system, not the MSPs."

However, Gordon Jackson, the Labour MSP, argued that the allowances system had served the parliament well. He said it would be more expensive to put up MSPs in hotels, and they were entitled to a property.

"If they say we have to look at it again I have no objection, but if there is a suggestion there is something badly wrong with it then I do not see any evidence of that and I don't think that perception is true.

WHAT THEY CLAIMED

TAVISH Scott, the Lib Dem MSP for Shetland, was charging taxpayers nearly £1,000 a month to cover his costs for a £380,000 house in the Morningside area of Edinburgh.

John Home Robertson, the Labour MSP for East Lothian, was criticised after it was revealed he was claiming £7,000 a year to live in his son's Edinburgh flat.

Nicol Stephen, Lib Dem, the Deputy First Minister, broke Holyrood expenses the rules by claiming thousands of pounds on a house jointly owned with his wife. He claimed £9,000 a year.

Jim Wallace, the Lib Dem former deputy first minister, bought two Edinburgh flats under the system.

THE MSPs WHO CLAIMED

SOME of the MSPs who have claimed for second homes:

Brian Adam, SNP, North East Scotland

Richard Baker, Labour, North East Scotland

Chris Ballance, Green, South of Scotland

David Davidson, Conservative, North East Scotland

Fergus Ewing, SNP, Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber

Linda Fabiani, SNP, Central Scotland

Alex Fergusson, Conservative, Galloway and Upper Nithsdale

Ross Finnie, Lib Dem, West of Scotland

Murdo Fraser, Conservative, Mid Scotland and Fife

Rob Gibson, SNP, Highlands and Islands

Hugh Henry, Labour, Paisley South

Adam Ingram, SNP, South of Scotland

Alex Johnstone, Conservative,

Andy Kerr, Labour, East Kilbride

Richard Lochhead, SNP

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat, Argyll and Bute

Maureen Macmillan, Labour, Highlands and Islands

Stewart Maxwell, SNP, West of Scotland

Tom McCabe, Labour, Hamilton South

Bruce McFee, SNP, West of Scotland

Duncan McNeil, Labour, Greenock and Inverclyde

Nanette Milne, Conservative, North East Scotland

Alasdair Morrison, Labour, Western isles

David Mundell, Conservative,

Alex Neil, SNP list, Central

Peter Peacock, Labour, Western Isles

Euan Robson, Lib Dem

Mike Rumbles, Lib Dem, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

Eleanor Scott, Green, Highlands and Islands

Tavish Scott, Lib Dem, Shetland

Nicol Stephen, Lib Dem, Aberdeen South

Stewart Stevenson, SNP, Banff and Buchan

John Swinney, SNP, Tayside North

Murray Tosh, Conservative, West of Scotland

Jim Wallace, Lib Dem, Orkney

Andrew Welsh, SNP, Angus

Allan Wilson, Labour,

Cunninghame North