Serial killer prosecutor defending Tasmina in cash probe
A SENIOR Nationalist has hired one of Scotland’s best-known QCs to defend her in a professional misconduct probe.
Former MP Tasmina AhmedSheikh, still a member of the SNP’s National Executive Committee, is being represented by Dorothy Bain, who prosecuted serial killer Peter Tobin.
The ex-Ochil and South Perthshire MP is accused of financial impropriety related to trust fund cash. If found guilty of misconduct, she could face being struck off as a solicitor.
Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh did not attend the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal (SSDT) hearing yesterday in Edinburgh.
She is said to ‘utterly reject’ the misconduct allegations by the Law Society of Scotland, which is pushing for ‘prosecution’ through a hearing after investigating a complaint made against her.
At yesterday’s preliminary hearing, Miss Bain and Grant Knight, who is representing Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh’s former business partner, Niall Mickel, both requested a delay to allow more time to gather evidence.
Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh – a close ally of Alex Salmond – and Mr Mickel worked at Hamilton Burns WS, a Glasgow law firm that is now in administration.
SSDT chairman Nicholas Whyte approved the request and a new preliminary hearing date has been set for August 17.
A friend of Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh said ‘she utterly rejects the accusations’, adding: ‘It is indicative of the way she is going to contest the case that she got a very respected QC. She is one of the top and not cheap.’