Cheek-in time
TORY QUESTIONED OVER LOBBYING MSP who owns shares in hotel faces probe over bid to reduce business rates
A Tory MSP is facing a standards probe over allegations she argued for lower business rates in the Scottish Parliament without declaring she owned a hotel.
Rachael Hamilton spoke out in favour of cutting tax for firms during First Minister’s Questions last November.
But the exchange with Nicola Sturgeon prompted a complaint to ethics watchdogs.
Hami l ton owns the Buccleuch Arms Hotel in Melrose, in the Borders, with her husband Billy.
Bill Thomson, the Scottish Parliament’s Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life, has now submitted a report to be considered by a committee of MSPs.
During the incident in question, Hamilton said: “We hear today that the number of Scottish retailers going bust is on the rise according to research conducted by French Duncan and, among other cost pressures, a rise in business rates are being blamed.
“When will the First Minister realise that her Government’s high tax agenda is punishing our high streets and take urgent action to support Scotland’s retailers?”
Hamilton’s register of interests shows she owns 49 per cent of Borders Hotels Ltd, with ordinary shares worth £161,158. The firm runs The Buccleuch Arms Hotel.
The or iginal let ter of complaint stated: “Ms Hamilton has previously made clear that she appreciates the requirement of registering her interest when asking such a question.
“By failing to register her outside interests, Ms Hamilton appears to have fai led to c omp l y with the aforementioned section of the MSPs’ code of conduct.
“I would be grateful if you could investigate this matter and consider whether there has been a breach.”
Hamilton has previously been criticised for asking tourism minister Fiona Hyslop “what action the Government is taking to support hotel businesses”. In 2016, the SNP claimed Tories had asked 24 questions relating to their personal business interests in just eight months.
An SNP source said: “This isn’t the first time Rachael Hamilton has used her position as an elected politician to lobby for lower business taxes – which her own business would just so happen to benefit from. It should go without saying that politicians should declare any conflict of interest when lobbying on an issue that would af fect their own business. The rules are perfectly clear.
“The Tories have already seen a frontbencher forced to resign and another sanctioned in Parliament for similar behaviour – you’d think they would have learned their lesson.”
A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: “We will await the verdict of the committee before commenting.”
Hamilton has previously been fined more than £50,000 for breaking the law on workplace pensions.
Last year, the Sunday Mail told how she was linked to two controversial fox hunting groups – the Lauderdale and Duke of Buccleuch hunts – where members have been accused of illegally killing animals.