Ex-MP fined for professional misconduct

Former MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh has been fined £3,000 after being found guilty of professional misconduct while a partner at a law firm.

The SNP member was brought before a tribunal along with fellow solicitor Alan Mickel, with whom she ran the now-defunct Hamilton Burns practice.

The Law Society said they showed “disregard for the rules” when they failed to keep proper accounts of a trust established in May 2012 and sums were borrowed from the fund to assist the struggling firm.

A panel in Perth heard then-director Mr Mickel, 50, and cash room manager Ms Ahmed-Sheikh, 48, believed the trust was private but an error setting up the fund meant it was considered a client.

They have been censured after a hearing of the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal which found both guilty of professional misconduct.

The former colleagues were each fined £3,000 and held liable for expenses.

The mother-of-four resigned from Hamilton Burns in May 2015 when she was elected MP for Ochil and South Perthshire.

She lost the seat in the 2017 general election.

Mr Mickel resigned in December 2015 after an inspection of the firm raised concerns and he was advised there had been a conflict of interest.

It was agreed there was no suggestion of dishonesty or personal benefit.

Ms Ahmed-Sheikh said in a statement: “For my part I am more than satisfied that it is now accepted on all sides that there is no challenge to my personal integrity.”