Salmond and Tasmina land plum roles on the EU stage
ALEX Salmond has landed a top foreign posting that will allow him to ‘grandstand’ on the European stage.
The former First Minister and his close ally and fellow Nationalist MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh will represent UK voters in the Council of Europe’s ‘parliamentary assembly’.
They will spend four weeks of the year in Strasbourg, joining fellow EU politicians to ‘debate social problems and aspects of international politics’.
Ten committees also ‘prepare’ for these sessions and MPs are usually appointed to at least one of these, which involves travelling to European cities for oneday sessions six times a year.
Taxpayers foot the bill and according to material disclosed by the Commons this year, the UK delegation’s travel and subsistence in 2013-14 cost £298,000.
Jim Hood, ex-Labour MP for Lanark and Hamilton East, is listed as incurring a £1,400 travel bill to attend the migration, refugees and displaced persons committee in Paris in 2013. There was also a £305 hotel and subsistence bill for the one-day event.
The British group was appointed by the Prime Minister yesterday and includes 17 members and 18 ‘alternates’, such as ex-Labour MSP Lord Foulkes.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recommends policies which are then submitted to national governments for action.
Membership reflects parliament’s composition, which is why the SNP has secured posts following its landslide General Election performance.
Nominations were made by SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson and sources said it is unusual for frontbench spokesmen such as Mr Salmond – who speaks for the party on Europe – and Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh – SNP trade and investment spokesman – to be chosen. Other members include former Labour deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott and ex-deputy Speaker, Tory MP Nigel Evans.
Scottish Ukip leader David Coburn said: ‘This proves the SNP is not a Scottish national party but a pro-European party.
‘Many of their members are unhappy about staying in the European Union but the leadership loves this because it involves all sorts of opportunities to grandstand throughout Europe.’
Now that Mr Salmond is mainly at Westminster he works closely with Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh. In February, the solicitor and former actress was appointed a director of Chronicles of Deer, a firm Mr Salmond has set up to handle his income from books and newspaper columns. She resigned immediately after the election.
Mr Robertson said: ‘We are delighted that the SNP’s role as the third party in parliament means Scotland has a stronger voice on key international bodies.’