Scottish Press Association

By Joe Quinn

Tougher rules on the disclosure of MSPs' interests are proposed under new legislation launched today. At present MSPs only have to register financial interests but under the new law they would have to register non-financial interests as well.

The proposed new legislation would also require MSPs and their partners to register the market value of shareholdings, rather than their initial cost.  MSPs would also have to register their partner's interests in property, which is not covered by existing legislation.

They would also have to register all gifts above 0.5% of their salary ? the current limit is #251 - but this would not apply to gifts between family members.

First Minister Jack McConnell called for clarification of the rules earlier this year after it appeared he was required to declare the cost of a painting given to him by his wife Bridget as a Christmas present. The new legislation is being proposed by Holyrood's Standards Committee, and will be published tomorrow.

At the moment, MSPs only have to register financial interests but the Bill proposes the use of an objective `influence' test to help them determine when to register non-financial interests. The Bill aims to replace rules which have governed members' interests since 1999.

Committee convener Brian Adam, SNP MSP for Aberdeen North, said the Bill had been prompted by the desire to ensure MSPs met "the highest standards of propriety and integrity".

"The existing legislation concentrates on the financial interests that may influence a member but our committee recognises that non-financial interests may also play a part in influencing how members carry out their parliamentary duties," said Mr Adam."This recognition and our committee's desire to maintain a consistent approach with councillors and members of other public bodies, has persuaded us to propose that MSPs should also be required to register certain non-financial interests."

The Bill proposes that MSPs be required to register those interests which the public might reasonably think could influence an MSP's actions, using an objective test. MSPs would have to ask themselves whether "a fair-minded and informed observer" would conclude their impartiality would appear to be prejudiced by the interest.