RUTH Davidson has been urged to release the advice she received from Holyrood officials before agreeing to take up a controversial £2000-a-day job with a lobbying firm.
The former Scottish Tory leader has faced growing calls to quit as an MSP after becoming a senior adviser to Tulchan Communications on £50,000 for 25 days’ work per year.
She has been accused of failing to take into account potential conflicts of interests involving the London-based employer’s corporate clients.
A lobbying industry body has also called it unethical for a lobbying firm to employ a sitting legislator.
After the row blew up last week, Ms Davidson offered to step back from her position on the Scottish Parliament’s corporate body, where she is in charge of good governance.
She urged any MSP who felt there was “any element of wrongdoing under parliamentary rules” to refer her to Scotland’s Standards Commissioner for adjudication.
She also said she would give up any earnings from her second job until the referral was resolved, leaving her to rely on her £63,579 basic as the MSP for Edinburgh Central.
She said: “Before even considering a business advisory role on a contractor basis, I conducted due diligence - both on the company, Tulchan, and by sitting down with the Parliament’s standards lerks to go through the code of conduct for MSPs, in detail, to ensure there was no conflict.”
However MSPs are ultimately responsible for taking their own decisions under the code of conduct.
Labour MSP Neil Findlay, who is promoting a Bill at Holyrood to stop MSPs profiting from second jobs, said: “Ruth Davidson claims she sought the advice of the Scottish Parliamentary authorities before accepting this highly paid job as a lobbyist. In the interest of openness and transparency she should publish all communications between her and the Parliamentary authorities who gave her advice.
“If it is true that Davidson was given the green light to take this job, then clearly the rules are not fit for purpose. That’s why I am introducing a Bill to the Scottish Parliament that would restrict MSPs’ second jobs and lucrative outside earnings.”
Ms Davidson said: “Since my election in 2011, I have worked hard to make a positive contribution not just to Scottish politics but also to the Scottish Parliament.
“I take my responsibilities to Holyrood seriously.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: "Ruth has already asked that any member who thinks there may be any element wrongdoing refers her to the Standards Commissioner for a ruling. She encourages Mr Findlay to do so."
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