RUTH Davidson has quit her £2,000-a-day job with a lobbying firm after less than a week following a furious backlash at Holyrood.
The former Scottish Tory leader said she and London-based Tulchan Communications had agreed “not to proceed with the appointment” after it became "increasingly contentious".
But in an unapologetic statement, she also sniped at her critics, saying they saw helping businesses as "somehow incompatible with my role as an MSP".
READ MORE: Ruth Davidson messed up and she needs to move on
Ms Davidson had faced accusations of gross misjudgment and of walking into potential conflicts of interest with her role as MSP for Edinburgh Central.
She had been due to earn £50,000 for 25 days a year as a senior adviser to the PR firm on top of her basic salary of £63,579 as a parliamentarian.
She faced calls to stand down as an MSP, and on Sunday was urged to release the advice she received from Holyrood officials about the job.
Ms Davidson, who stepped down as Tory leader in August, only announced her new role last Wednesday.
It was condemned as unethical by a lobbying industry body and sparked a national debate about MSPs having second jobs.
Earlier this month Ms Davidson incorporated a tax-efficient business consultancy business, Kirkholm Broadlands Ltd, with her partner Jen Wilson.
Ms Davidson said: “The debate in Scotland about my taking an advisory role with Tulchan Communications has become increasingly contentious.
“I, and Tulchan, have therefore agreed not to proceed with the appointment.
“I saw this role as an opportunity to help businesses improve their offerings to staff, raise standards in the supply chain, increase diversity and embrace environmental responsibilities.
“I sat down with Scottish Parliamentary officials in advance to go through the code of conduct, in detail, in order to avoid any conflict and to ensure I would be working within the rules at all times.
“The role reflected this.
READ MORE: Davidson urged to reveal advice on taking £50,000 second job
“The consensus view from political opponents and commentators is that working to improve businesses’ understanding of the cares and concerns of people is somehow incompatible with my role as an MSP.
“So if I am asked to choose between Holyrood and this role, then I choose the parliament I have dedicated the last nine years to, eight as party leader, a decision Tulchan supports."
She went on: "I would like to thank Tulchan for asking me to take on the role.
“They are an advisory firm of the highest quality and they too have received their share of criticism, which this role and their intentions did not deserve.
“Throughout this process they have behaved with the utmost integrity and have shown me every support and understanding.
“I wish them continued success in the future and will be sorry not to be working with them at this time.”
Andrew Grant, Senior Partner, Tulchan said: “We share Ruth’s decision not proceed with her role with us.
“It is a great shame as we believe that she would have encouraged business to be bolder in addressing the issues of concern to their stakeholders.
“Scotland, and the people of Edinburgh Central are lucky to have her.”
Labour MSP Neil Findlay, who is promoting a Bill at Holyrood to stop MSPs profiting from outside work, said: "After a week of refusing to budge, Ruth Davidson has finally reflected on the widespread anger which has been expressed across the Parliament and among the public at large. This is to be welcomed.
"There is a clear conflict of interest in an elected representative working for a company which lobbies politicians on behalf of corporate interests.
“In accepting this job in the first place, Davidson did lasting damage to the reputation of the Scottish Parliament.
"She receives a generous salary from the public purse, and seeking to trouser £50,000 for just 24 days a year gives a strong impression of politicians on the make.
“If it is true that the parliamentary authorities approved Davidson’s job with a lobbying firm, then it just demonstrates that the rules are not fit for purpose.
"I am seeking to introduce a law which will ban MSPs from taking second jobs. I hope that this sorry saga will lead MSPs from across the political spectrum to realise that the rules need to change, and to support my bill in Parliament.”
SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: "Ruth Davidson has made this decision only under severe pressure – and questions over her judgment, and her commitment to her constituents, remain.
“Ruth Davidson must outline what advice she was given on how her role could have possibly been in line with the MSP Code of Conduct.
“We also need to know whether Ms Davidson has met with any Tulchan clients, performed any work for the organisation or given Tulchan any advice – formally or informally – that must now be declared.
“And – crucially – we need to know whether Ruth Davidson has had any discussions about a future role in the lobbying industry.
“If the decision not to take the job was accompanied with a nod-and-a-wink about work after 2021 then there will remain serious concerns about the ability of Ms Davidson to perform her work as a parliamentarian.
“If she is to claw back any respect at all, Ruth Davidson must publish all material and advice she has received regarding this role.
“In the interests of transparency, the public will expect answers.”
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