Tory MSP facing Holyrood sanctions after failing to declare interests
Alexander Burnett says he was acting on behalf of concerned constituents
Last updated 28th Sep 2017
An Aberdeenshire MSP is being taken to task in Holyrood for the second time in a month.
Conservative Alexander Burnett is facing a ban on writing questions to ministers after he failed to declare an interest in parliament.
He's defended his actions, saying he was acting on behalf of concerned constituents after he spoke out against a local housing developer.
The issue was reported to the standards committee as Mr Burnett is a shareholder and director at a rival firm.
Convenor Clare Adamson MSP said in her statement: "The Committee has considered a complaint from Christian Allard about Alexander Burnett MSP. The complaint is that Alexander Burnett failed to declare his registered interests when submitting Parliamentary Questions on 4 August 2016.
"The Committee is unanimous in the decisions reached on the complaint. Firstly, it agrees with the findings in fact and conclusion of the Commissioner. Secondly, it considers that the breach justifies the imposition of a sanction on Alexander Burnett.
"The final decision on whether to issue a sanction lies with the Parliament. The Committee will recommend that Alexander Burnett be prohibited from lodging Parliamentary Questions for written answer for a period of two weeks.
"I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the Committee to remind all MSPs that they are obliged by law and by the Code of Conduct to make the appropriate written and oral declarations if they have a declarable interest before taking part in any proceedings of the Parliament."
Mr Burnett said: “I have made a full and open declaration of my business interests in accordance with parliamentary rules.
“It was my judgement at the time that there was no conflict of interest as I was simply acting on behalf of several hundred very concerned constituents.
"However, I accept the decision of the committee in this case and will not contest any sanction that is imposed.
"I will also be advising my party colleagues to support the recommendation of the committee when it comes to the chamber for a final decision."