Renewed calls for ban on second jobs for MSPs after Ruth Davidson takes £50,000 PR role

MSPs are calling for a ban on second jobs for Scotland’s politicians to be “fast-tracked” after it emerged Ruth Davidson has taken on a £50,000 post working for a PR firm.

Davidson revealed she has been appointed as a senior advisor for London-based Tulchan Communications while remaining in her role as MSP for Edinburgh Central.

Critics have said Davidson’s actions have brought the Scottish Parliament into disrepute and calls have been made for her to either give up the second job or step down from her role as an MSP.

The news has thrust the issue of second jobs for MSPs into the limelight, with Labour MSP Neil Findlay using the opportunity to promote his member’s bill which proposes a complete ban on second jobs, with exemptions for professionals who need to work a certain number of hours to maintain their credentials such as a nurse or teacher.

Findlay said: “Ruth Davidson’s actions bring the Scottish Parliament into disrepute.

“Instead of standing up for her constituents in parliament she will be standing up for the firms that her bosses are paid to lobby for.

“You cannot be a parliamentarian and a highly paid lobbyist at the same time.

“If she wants to continue pocketing tens of thousands of pounds from this lobbying firm she should resign as an MSP.

“The people of Edinburgh deserve an MSP that will represent them, not private corporations.”

The Greens have called for a by-election and for the bill on second jobs to be fast-tracked.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone said: “The people of Edinburgh Central elected Ruth Davidson to represent them, not use her position to earn £50,000 from lobbyists.

“This is clearly a conflict of interests. Davidson needs to resign from the corporate body and as an MSP so Edinburgh Central can elect a committed representative.

“Most folk who take second jobs do so through pressing necessity. It’s time for a by-election in Edinburgh Central, not to mention a change in the law.

“Neil Findlay’s bill on second jobs for MSPs should be fast tracked to stop this happening again.”

The SNP has also hit out at Davidson and said she needs to “decide what day job matters”.

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “This is a monumental misjudgement from Ruth Davidson, who simply cannot be allowed to accept cash from a lobbying firm while continuing to sit as an MSP.

“That’s not only a conflict of interest – it’s holding her constituents, and the Scottish Parliament as a whole, in contempt. 

“Ruth Davidson needs to decide which day job matters. If she isn’t interested in focusing on her role as an MSP she should allow the people of Edinburgh Central to pick a representative who is. 

“If she is brazen enough to continue sitting as an MSP, then the questions and pressure on her will simply continue to pile up.” 
Davidson’s appointment has also been condemned by industry figures, with the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) saying it was “simply wrong” for a serving politician to take such a role.

PRCA director general Francis Ingham said: "It is simply wrong for lobbying agencies to employ legislators.

"The possible conflict of interest in doing so is clear, and damages the reputation of both our industry, and of the political process."

A Scottish Conservatives spokesperson told Holyrood: “Ruth's business advisory role is well within all parliamentary and industry rules.

“It is far less onerous than the party leadership she held for eight years, and she is able to complete the 16 hours a month it requires while still having more time for her family and constituency,” the spokesperson said.

“Ruth is committed to seeing out her term as the MSP for Edinburgh Central.”