Murphy calls for MSP paid directorship ban

Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy has written to the Scottish Parliament’s presiding officer calling for a ban on paid directorships and consultancies to be introduced.

In the letter Murphy asks Tricia Marwick to consider referring the matter the Parliament’s Standards Committee.

The letter comes after two high profile MPs at Westminster have been suspended from their parties over claims they offered services for payments from a private firm. Both Sir Malcolm Rifkind and Jack Straw deny the claims.

In the letter to Marwick, Murphy says Scottish Labour’s manifesto for 2016 will include proposals to ban MSPs from seeking other employment after being elected.

“The Scottish people need to know that when they vote they are electing an individual who will represent them directly, and not be swayed by private interests,” he writes.

Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick response here