Latest news with #SusanMurray
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Scots MP blasted for accepting cash donation from lobbyist
The donation came from a company owned by one of the country's top lobbyists. A Scottish MP is being urged to explain why she accepted a cash donation from a political lobbyist. Lib Dem MP Susan Murray received a £2000 donation from MFGC Holdings Ltd just three weeks after her election. The firm is owned by Mark Cummings – an ex-East Dunbartonshire Tory party chairman – who now runs one of Scotland's most prolific lobbying firms, Invicta Public Affairs. Invicta advocates for clients including supermarket giant Lidl, Graeme Souness 's firm Orchard Brae and housebuilders Miller Homes. Anti-corruption group Transparency International has demanded the rules be tightened. Juliet Swann, its nations and regions programme manager said: ' Lobbyists should not be making payments to elected officials and Parliament needs to do more to make this activity more open and accountable.' Mid Dunbartonshire MP Murray's register of interests shows she declared the £2000 donation last July 30 – three weeks after the General Election. The Scottish Lib Dems claimed the donation was from a 'long term supporter of the party' but according to the Electoral Commission MFGC donated £6000 to the Tories just six weeks earlier, on May 22. MFGC also sponsored Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie's Christmas cards last year and, in 2023, took now-Tory leader Russell Findlay and fellow Tory MSP Murdo Fraser to the Scottish FA Cup semi-final at Hampden. Invicta, owned by MFGC, donated £2400 to Scottish Labour in April last year and gave the Tories £12,000 in 2018, the Electoral Commission said. Invicta is one of the most active lobbying firms in Scotland, recording 227 incidences of lobbying parliamentarians since 2018. It has also hired a number of politicians including former SNP MP Richard Thomson, who is its Scotland Associate Director, ex-SNP MSP Richard Lyle – a consultant who attends meetings with MSPs – and current Tory MSP Stephen Kerr, who was a consultant until 2021. Lyle came under fire last year when it emerged he had been using a pass provided to former MSPs to access Holyrood. Asked about the donation to Murray, Cummings said: 'I live in the constituency that Susan Murray MP now represents. I supported her election campaign because I felt she was the best candidate for the job. 'I understand Susan has declared my donation in line with all relevant legislation.' Asked if he was now a Lib Dem supporter, he did not comment. A Scottish Lib Dem spokesman said: 'The firm in question belongs to a long term supporter of the party. All donations are recorded and declared in line with the relevant legislation.'
RNZ News
30-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
From the Archives: My old man said follow the cows
rural farming 31 minutes ago June 1 is an important day in the farming calendar when dairy farmers relocate animals, typically from one farm to another, for the start of the new season. Back in 2009 producer Susan Murray stepped out with some farmers to find out what the day - now known as Mooving Day - involves.
The Herald Scotland
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Ben Kemp appointed as new Law Society of Scotland CEO
He qualified as a Scottish solicitor in 2001 and has worked in private practice in both Scotland and London. Law Society of Scotland President Susan Murray said: 'We are delighted that Ben will be joining the Law Society in the coming months as our new CEO. This follows a comprehensive and exacting recruitment process. 'Ben stood out from a strong field of candidates as the right person to lead and develop the Society, as well as support the wider Scottish solicitor profession and the people it serves. He is joining us at an exciting time as we prepare for generational reforms around regulation and as the legal sector embraces technological and cultural change. Read More 'We were impressed with Ben's wide experience of the legal sector and his approach towards leading a membership organisation, alongside his commitment to working collaboratively with our members, our Society colleagues and our key stakeholders, to navigate challenges, embrace opportunities and represent the profession. Ben Kemp said: 'I am excited and privileged to be joining the Law Society of Scotland later this year. As a longstanding member, becoming chief executive presents a tremendous opportunity to support and contribute to the Law Society's important work. 'We're at a pivotal moment for Scotland's legal sector and I plan to hit the ground running once in post, with a focus on long awaited reforms to how legal services are regulated and on supporting Law Society members in their work and advocating on the issues that matter to them.' Kevin Lang will continue as Law Society interim CEO in preparation for an ordered transition to Mr Kemp, following the departure of previous Chief Executive Diane McGiffen last month.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Extremely disappointed': MP calls for popular festival to be reinstated
An MP has called for Kirkintilloch's cancelled Canal Festival to be reinstated. The Glasgow Times previously reported that the famous event has been scrapped this year by East Dunbartonshire Council due to issues with funding. READ NEXT: Now, Mid-Dunbartonshire MP Susan Murray has expressed her concern at the event's sudden abandonment, having attended and supported it annually. (Image: Susan Murray (Image: LibDems)) Hailing the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival as a highlight of the local calendar and a celebration of the town's history and heritage, Murray said: "I was extremely disappointed to hear about the cancellation of the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival by the SNP/Labour council administration on East Dunbartonshire Council. 'The festival is a well-loved local tradition that brings families and our community together to celebrate Kirkintilloch's history and heritage and an event that I've personally enjoyed attending and supporting in the past. 'It is also a key date in the calendar for many local businesses, who will now miss out on the additional footfall and business it brings. 'The canal is synonymous with Kirkintilloch, cancelling the festival, without a plan to reschedule it, does not serve that legacy well at all.' Murray added that she is keen to work with all stakeholders to see this key cultural event back in the community's diary. READ NEXT: A petition has already been set up by a resident to reinstate the festival and when the Glasgow Times headed out to the canal, residents were quick to share their disappointment at the news. East Dunbartonshire Council has been contacted for comment.
