Calls for ex-MP to quit top SNP role
Ahmed-Sheikh faces hearing over trust fund claims
A FORMER Nationalist MP was under growing pressure to quit her senior role within the SNP yesterday as she prepares to face a misconduct hearing over alleged financial impropriety.
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh is set to go before the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT) after allegations made about a trust fund for which she had been the signatory.
She and former business partner Niall Mickel are being ‘prosecuted’ by the Law Society of Scotland – and yesterday the Scottish Daily Mail reported that the first ‘procedural hearing’ will take place on April 23.
Although Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh lost her Ochil and South Perthshire seat at last year’s general election, she remains a senior figure within the SNP, sitting on the party’s national executive committee and as women’s and equalities convener.
She is facing calls to resign from the role until the investigation and hearing into allegations against her are completed.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: ‘Pressure is growing on the SNP to act following this latest embarrassment – Tasmina is long past the point of being a liability for the Nationalists.
‘In fact it’s hard to keep up with all the negative stories about her. Nicola Sturgeon must be sick and tired of seeing Tasmina in the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
‘This is yet another headache for the SNP leadership from Tasmina, following on from her dodgy double act with Alex Salmond on Russia Today.’
The Law Society will act as prosecutor at next month’s hearing, with a specialist solicitor expected to lead the case. Solicitors face being struck off in the most serious cases.
Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh and Mr Mickel worked together at the law firm Hamilton Burns WS.
This newspaper last year reported that a probe into the pair was related to a trust fund set up to help a vulnerable person.
Earlier this year it emerged that the Law Society had made a complaint to the SSDT, which is an independent body, and had requested a hearing following the completion of an initial investigation.
The procedural hearing is being held to examine the facts of the case.
But opponents have criticised Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh’s decision to remain in her senior role while the investigation is taking place.
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said: ‘Precedent would suggest that Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh should step down from her high-profile role within the SNP while these serious investigations are ongoing.’
Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh set up Hamilton Burns WS in 2001 and resigned shortly after becoming an MP in 2015. The firm went bust last year.
As well as facing calls to quit the SNP over the investigation, critics have said she should step down for her involvement with Russian broadcaster RT.
The mother of four is a close ally of Alex Salmond and a partner in his company Slainte Media.
She produces The Alex Salmond Show on the station, which has been linked to the Kremlin.
An SNP spokesman said: ‘Matters arising within the legal profession are properly for the tribunal. It would be inappropriate to comment further until findings are published.’
‘Long past the point of being a liability’