Scottish Tory MSP accused of failing to declare interest

A Scottish Conservative MSP has been accused of failing to meet the standards of transparency after not declaring an interest when raising concerns about rent controls.

Pam Gosal raised the matter at First Minister’s Questions last week, claiming the prohibition on rent rises has “hindered mobility, caused enormous price hikes when people move and reduced the availability of housing”.

According to the MSP’s register of interests, she owns shares in a number of companies which let out commercial properties but she receives no remuneration from this.

But the SNP have said that in failing to declare this to the chamber before her question, Gosal has failed to make the public “fully aware of any potential conflicts of interest”.

Clare Haughey, raising the matter in the chamber on Wednesday, said: “Parliamentarians have a duty to act transparently and ensure fair parliamentary scrutiny at all times – especially when in the chamber.

 “It is vital that the public are fully aware of any potential conflicts of interest to ensure our constituents are fully informed – Pam Gosal has failed to meet this standard.

“Pam Gosal should correct the record as soon as possible.”

The Scottish Conservatives have said there was no need to declare the shares as an interest because the property is not residential.

A party spokesperson said: “Pam’s interests are not in residential property, so there was no relevant information to declare.”