Tory’s expenses: Herald backed

By Hamish Mackay

Scottish Information Commissioner Kevin Dunion has overruled the Scottish Parliament to uphold an appeal by the Sunday Herald.

Dunion has ordered the parliament to release details of 900-plus
taxi trips claimed by Scottish Tory leader and MSP David McLetchie
between 1999 and 2004. Holyrood officials had blocked a request by the
Sunday Herald for nine months, on security grounds.

Speculation
that McLetchie had taken parliamentary taxis to his office at legal
firm Tods Murray was confirmed following Dunion’s ruling. Last week,
documents obtained by The Scotsman revealed that McLetchie had claimed
more in taxi fares – £11,565 – than any other MSP since devolution in
1999.

Glasgow Rangers FC’s multi-millionaire chairman David
Murray has launched a renewed attack on sections of the press whom he
feels are biased against the club.

The attack came during a
question and answer session at the Ibrox club’s annual general meeting.
Asked what advice he might give to any young journalist, Murray replied
that they might wish to consider an alternative career. He went on: “I
made a statement last year that I am no longer prepared to tolerate
slagging of the club. There are certain newspapers I won’t speak to…
and they know who they are.”