Annex 181
Letter to Lesley Quinn from the Chairman
of the Standards and Privileges Committee
At the meeting yesterday of the Committee on Standards
and Privileges the Commissioner reported to us that you had not
provided her with certain information she had requested to assist
her with one of her current inquiries. The Commissioner has told
us that she is unable to conclude her inquiry without considering
this information from you.
The Commissioner wrote to you on 18 May to say that
she understood that the Scottish Labour Party, as employer, had
provided Mr Kevin Reid with a financial reference. She asked you
to provide her with a copy of any such reference.
We are aware that you have had a period of holiday
but were concerned to hear that telephone enquiries about your
response have not been returned. We expect people who are in a
position to assist the Commissioner`s inquiries to co-operate
fully and to make available any relevant information they may
have. It is in everyone`s interests, including the Member who
is the subject of the complaint, that this matter should be resolved.
The House has given the Committee certain powers
to compel witnesses to provide information. We would prefer not
to use those powers unless it was necessary to do so to enable
the Commissioner to carry out the job the House has appointed
her to do. I very much hope, therefore, that you will arrange
to provide the Commissioner with the information by return.
21 June 2000
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