COME CLEAN MR INGRAM

Starthaven based MSP Linda Fabiani, has called on East Kilbride MP Adam Ingram to disclose just much time he spends working on his five other jobs outside of his parliamentary work.

Ms Fabiani’s comments come after the decision by the London government to finally disclose how much time MPs spend working outside parliament in secondary jobs and how much they earn.

The SNP MSP commented:

“This is the first time that the public will get to see just how much paid work MPs are undertaking outside of their parliamentary duties. This is long overdue and is something that no politician should try to hide.

“Since the inception of the Scottish Parliament it has been amongst the most open and transparent of any parliament in the world – while MPs have continued to treat Westminster like it is a private club.

“MPs expenses are public property as are the MPs themselves and they should not hide away from public scrutiny.

“However, the expenses details are not due to be released until July and I see no reason why Adam Ingram MP should not disclose at this time to the electorate in East Kilbride just how much time he spends on jobs that have no bearing on his parliamentary work.

“Mr Ingram recently revealed he earns £170,000 from five other jobs at a time when many of his constituents are struggling to keep just one job.

“So why wait until July to tell everyone how that money is earned when he could come clean with it now.

END

Notes:

MPs are preparing to declare for the first time how many hours they work outside Westminster, and for exactly how much money, after the House of Commons agreed plans put forward by Gordon Brown, to force all MPs to publish full details of their outside earnings.

Limited details of positions held outside the Commons are included in the Register of Members’ Interests.