Transparency ‘concern’ over committee
BY ANDY PHILIP a.philip@dailyrecord.co.uk AN SNP politician who served in Alex Salmond’s first government will lead a Holyrood probe into the handling of complaints against him.
Linda Fabiani was appointed yesterday despite opposition concerns about having someone from the party of government in the chair.
The committee was formally set up to look at the botched way Nicola Sturgeon’s administration carried out an internal probe into complaints by two women relating to when Salmond was leader.
It is separate from criminal allegations of sexual assault, which Salmond denies and is contesting in court.
Fabiani is seen as a popular choice from the SNP ranks and already sits as a deputy presiding officer at Holyrood, chairing debates in the chamber.
She is MSP for East Kilbride and is among the few MSPs who have been elected in every session since the Parliament was established in 1999.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “My primary concern is one of transparency for this committee.
“We all know the question of perception is all in politics.”
Tories and Lib Dems also objected but finally backed Fabiani after the SNP refused to step aside
Fabiani said: “I intend to be as open and transparent as possible.”
Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell was appointed deputy convener.