Scots Tories prepare for new leader

3 Nov 05
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Annabel Goldie looked set to inherit the top job this week after the sudden resignation of David McLetchie, who has been at the centre of a long-running row over taxi expenses.

04 November 2005

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Annabel Goldie looked set to inherit the top job this week after the sudden resignation of David McLetchie, who has been at the centre of a long-running row over taxi expenses.

After a succession of meetings with senior colleagues to establish a procedure for selecting a successor to McLetchie, Goldie was nominated as leader with her most likely challenger, Murdo Fraser, as her deputy.

Nominations close on November 8 but it seemed unlikely that any other Tory MSP would have the support to challenge the pair.

Goldie said it was 'a very naturally induced partnership'. She added: 'We are both utterly united in doing our best to ensure there is a robust opposition presence in Scotland.'

McLetchie's resignation was an embarrassment to the Conservatives as the party nationally prepares to choose between David Davis and David Cameron as successor to Michael Howard.

Fraser, spokesman on enterprise and lifelong learning and, at 40, seen as the young pretender, said a contest would have been overshadowed by the national vote. 'It was better that we united around a joint leadership platform and that's what we're planning to do to take this party forward,' he added.

McLetchie, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, had previously resisted calls for his resignation, insisting he would lead the party into the 2007 Holyrood elections. But he unexpectedly quit after failing to close down the controversy, which has been the subject of prolonged and extensive media coverage.

McLetchie, who was instrumental in bringing down former first minister Henry McLeish following a dispute over his office expenses, came under fire over taxi fares filed as expenses. It was alleged some journeys were made on party or personal business rather than in accordance with the rules, which specify that fares can be claimed for parliamentary duties only.

Documents showed that £5,000 was claimed in taxi fares without any mention of a starting point or destination – also a breach of the rules.

In his resignation statement, McLetchie said: 'I recognise that the recent coverage surrounding my expense claims has been damaging and is a major distraction from our efforts to rebuild support for the party in the country. Accordingly, it is right that I stand down as leader.'

PFnov2005

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