David McLetchie
From Free net encyclopedia
David McLetchie (born 6 August 1952, Edinburgh) is a former Leader of the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party.
He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Law in 1974, having attended Leith Academy and George Heriot's School.
In 1979 he contested the Edinburgh Central seat for the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, but lost to Robin Cook.
Since 1999 he has been both a Member of the Scottish Parliament, and the Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Initially he was elected as an additional member for the Lothians, but at the 2003 election he won the first past the post seat of Edinburgh Pentlands.
In February 2005 sleaze allegations were made against him, for continuing to practice law while an MSP. It transpired that Tods Murray, the firm at which he was a partner, had advised the Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston, Edinburgh, who oppose the expansion of Edinburgh Airport. McLetchie had previously signed a parliamentary motion against the plans. Similar allegations were made in relation to Murrayfield Stadium. He resigned his position at the firm on February 17, 2005.
David McLetchie announced his resignation as Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader on 31 October, 2005, after it was revealed he had spent £11,500 of Scottish taxpayers' money on taxi fares, more than any other MSP. The problem was not so much the large bill, but the fact that he had used taxis for personal trips (including several associated purely with his job as a solicitor) and on Conservative and Unionist party business (as opposed to constituency business).
His successor as leader was Annabel Goldie.