Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser has hit out at “groundless, politically motivated” complaints made against him – 136 in total – and said some are “defamatory.”
The politician said that despite the relentless number of these complaints made to the Ethical Standards Commissioner for alleged breach of the MSP Code of Conduct, he will carry on with the job of holding the SNP Government to account.
All of the complaints made to the Commissioner have been dismissed.
The standards watchdog investigates complaints about the behaviour of MSPs, councillors, and board members of public bodies as well as lobbyists, and it also looks into how people are appointed to the boards of public bodies in Scotland. The Commissioner is an independent regulator appointed by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, approved by MSPs and underpinned by legislation.
Earlier this week, Mr Fraser was advised by the Ethical Standards Commissioner that another “unfounded and defamatory complaint” against him by ‘a member of the public’ was dismissed.
Commenting, Mr Fraser, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: “There have now been 136 complaints made against me in two years to the Ethical Standards Commissioner for breach of the MSP Code of Conduct. Every single one has been dismissed – what a farcical waste of time and money.
“These complaints are groundless, unfounded and in some cases defamatory. There can be little doubt that most, if not all, are politically motivated.
“It is an enormous waste of public resource for the Commissioner to have to read and respond to these complaints, but sadly that does not seem to deter the vexatious complainers.”
Mr Fraser continued: “For my part, and whatever the intention of the complainers, I will not be deterred from or distracted in my role of representing my constituents and holding this failing SNP Government to account.”
