Scottish Conservative leader and Scottish Parliament member David McLetchie quit his part-time role as a partner at leading Edinburgh law firm Tods Murray last month following allegations of a conflict of interest.

The issue was raised after the MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands signed a motion expressing concerns over the expansion of Edinburgh Airport without declaring an interest as his firm allegedly represented the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society, which opposed the plans. The firm refuses to comment on who it acts for.


Mr McLetchie asked the clerk to the Holyrood standards committee for advice on whether he should have declared an interest. It said he did not have to declare his firm's clients but suggested that if Mr McLetchie had doubts, he should have erred on the side of caution, declaring anything that might have led to a perception of a conflict.


Denying he had done anything wrong, Mr McLetchie resigned from the law firm he has been with for 29 years, saying: 'I have no wish to see a similar situation arise again. Accordingly, to avoid any misconceptions and 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.'


Catherine Baksi