Ousted Nationalist MP facing a tribunal after probe into trust fund
‘Embarrassment to Nicola Sturgeon’
‘Difficult questions for the SNP’
A FORMER Nationalist MP is set to face a professional misconduct hearing following a probe into alleged financial impropriety involving a trust fund set up to help a vulnerable person.
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh was at the centre of a probe by the Law Society of Scotland into allegations relating to the fund, for which she was a signatory. The organisation has passed the case to the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal (SSDT), the independent body that deals with serious disciplinary issues.
It is understood the complaint relates to professional misconduct and can result in a solicitor being ‘prosecuted’.
Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh’s former business partner Niall Mickel is also believed to be facing a disciplinary tribunal. They have 21 days to respond after being served with a misconduct complaint.
The pair worked together at law firm Hamilton Burns WS which went bust last year.
The Law Society investigation was launched last year as Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh stood to regain her Ochil and South Perthshire seat in the general election.
Despite losing her Westminster seat she remains in office as the SNP’s National Women’s and Equalities Convener.
Last year, the Scottish Daily Mail revealed that the investigation into Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh and Mr Mickel related to a trust fund that was set up to help a vulnerable person.
Yesterday, the Law Society said they could not comment on individual cases.
However, under the organisation’s procedural rules if a complaint is investigated and deemed to have merit it is then referred to a tribunal.
The procedure is known as ‘prosecution’ and is led by a Law Society appointed specialist solicitor.
This can involve a hearing of evidence and legal submissions before a full tribunal.
Solicitors face the prospect of being struck off in the most serious cases.
Last night, Labour MSP Daniel Johnson called on Nicola Sturgeon to ‘urgently renounce her previous defence’ of Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh. The First Minister previ- ously stood by the former MP. Mr Johnson said: ‘These are concerning reports that will cause deep embarrassment to Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP.
‘When these allegations first emerged during the General Election, Nicola Sturgeon tried to dismiss them.
‘Nicola Sturgeon must urgently renounce her previous defence of Ms Ahmed-Sheikh – or else face serious questions about her judgment.’
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: ‘This case poses some difficult questions for the SNP. Nicola Sturgeon was happy to stand by Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh during the general election campaign.’
Mrs Ahmed- Sheikh lost her seat to Tory Luke Graham.
She is a close ally of former First Minister Alex Salmond and is a partner in his company Slainte Media. She produces and appears in The Alex Salmond Show on Russian broadcaster RT.
The mother of four set up Hamilton Burns WS as a partnership in 2001 and it became a limited company in 2014, but she resigned shortly after becoming an MP.
Last night Mrs Ahmed-Sheikh, Mr Mickel and the SNP did not respond to requests for comment.