APPENDIX 6
Note submitted by the Parliamentary Commissioner
for Standards
Sequence of Events:
Mr Nelson`s submissions of the complaint
concerning Dr Reid and Mr Maxton
20 January 2000
Mr Nelson telephoned my office to check information
in the Register of Member`s staff. He informed my member of staff
that he was investigating possible misuse of staff employed by
the House of Commons, who assisted in the Scottish Election Campaign.
Her note is as follows:
"Issue is that if they are paid by the Fees
Office of the House of Commons they undertake to assist the Member
in his parliamentary duties which do not include party political
campaigning."
23 January 2000
The Observer carried a detailed article on the allegations
which was headlined:
"Reid hit by poll cash scandal" sub heading
: "Minister broke rules by using his MP`s expenses to pay
party campaign staff." (attached)
24 January 2000
Mr Nelson telephoned me. He asked me if I had seen
the Observer article, which contained some of the information
he had collected. He set out the complaint as it appeared in the
article and read extracts from his notes, which had supported
what he had published, without revealing the speakers. He confirmed
that the members in question were Dr Reid and Mr Maxton. He also
said that his sources were people he believes were involved in
setting up the arrangement.
Mr Nelson asked me to explain the complaints process.
I informed him that the complaint could be made by any person,
must be in writing and signed, and should include supporting evidence,
dates, names and details. I said that I then must decide whether
there is sufficient evidence to make enquiries. I ask the Member
for a response and make enquiries as necessary. I explained that
I may need to interview the complainant, witnesses and the Member
concerned. I said when I have undertaken any enquiries, which
I believed to be necessary to try to establish the facts, I then
write a report for the Standards and Privileges Committee. I explained
that the Committee may wish to interview witnesses themselves
before deciding whether the complaint is upheld. I informed him
that the Committee published a report on every complaint, whether
they uphold it or not and that my report is published together
with it. Mr Nelson said he would be making a complaint during
that week.
27 January 2000
Mr Nelson`s complaint letter dated 26 January 2000
received by my office on e mail. He also attached a copy of the
Observer article to the hard copy.
27 January 2000
I telephoned Mr Nelson to ask whether he or the Observer
was the complainant, since he had informed me on 24 January that
he was about to join the Scotsman. He said he was the complainant.
27 January 2000
I wrote to Mr Nelson to acknowledge the complaint
and to say I would be investigating the matters he had raised
and asking him to provide the other evidence which he referred
to in his letter.
27 January 2000
I wrote to Dr Reid and Mr Maxton immediately setting
out the complaint and providing a copy of Mr Nelson`s e mail (Annex
5. and 30.) In response to a request from Mr Maxton I provided
him with a hard copy of Mr Nelson`s letter on February 4 (Annex
35.)
10 February 2000
Interviewed Mr Nelson. Read anonymous transcript
of tapes, listened to extracts of the tapes and his notes which
he showed to me. I should correct paragraph 15 page 10, MAXTON/REID
8 which should have read: "However, Mr Nelson had read
his notes to me in full, so I was aware of their content. And
in addition shortly afterwards (10 February) he showed me the
notes (with the names removed), but without handing them over
and played the tapes to me."
Annex 2. Copies of Mr Nelson`s notes received 14
March 2000
1 November 2000
Elizabeth Filkin
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