£300 a day... to keep an eye on the police

A TROUBLED police watchdog has made seven new appointments to its board – but only one has any policing experience.

The Scottish Police Authority (SPA) has been rocked by high-profile exits in recent months and criticised for its secretive practices.

Ministers yesterday announced seven new SPA board appointments.

All will be paid £300 per day for 60 days a year, earning £18,000.

The new appointments include Falkirk Council chief executive Mary Pitcaithly, who will retire from her £132,000-a-year job this year. She will get a £138,000 lump sum and £65,000 pension.

Michelle Miller, who will retire as Edinburgh City Council’s £102,000-a-year chief social work officer in June, will receive an £82,000 lump sum and a £42,000 pension.

David Crichton, who already gets £25,712 for a three-day week as chairman of NHS Health Scotland and £250 a day as a member of the Scotland Committee of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, will also become a director; as will solicitor Jane Ryder, who is paid £275 a day as a member of Revenue Scotland’s board.

other appointments include Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport, who receives £343 a day as a member of VisitScotland; and Martyn Evans, chief executive of the Carnegie UK Trust.

The only new director with any policing experience is Tom Halpin, chief executive of justice

‘People will be puzzled at these appointments’

charity Sacro and a former deputy chief constable of Lothian and Borders Police.

The recruitment drive was launched after a torrid year for the SPA, which lost both its chairman Andrew Flanagan and chief executive John Foley amid serious and sustained criticism over transparency, governance and decision-making.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: ‘Not every member of the board would need police experience and it’s good to have a balance of skills. However, people will be puzzled that there’s such an absence of policing know-how within these appointments.

‘It’s equally concerning that no railway experience appears to be included either. Given the single force is on the verge of absorbing the British Transport Police, you would think that would have been a priority for this SNP Government.

‘For the SPA to take steps forward we need the best of both worlds, particularly given the year it has just endured.’

Following the appointments, which are for four years, Justice Secretary Michael Matheson said: ‘These new members will bring a broad range of skills and experience to the SPA, further strengthening it as it continues to scrutinise Police Scotland.’

SPA chairman Susan Deacon said: ‘I am delighted to welcome these new members to the board. They are all highly accomplished in their fields and bring with them a range of senior experience.’