Contracts row chairman confident

HIE is a public economic development agency

Highlands and Islands Enterprise chairman Willie Roe has said an inquiry into contracts given to his consultancy firm will "clear the air".

The probe into almost £100,000 worth of contracts awarded to Rocket Science by HIE is to be overseen by public spending watchdog, Audit Scotland.

Mr Roe said "extremely robust" procedures were adhered too in dealings between the agency and his company.

The firm recently had to repay an £8,000 consultancy fee to HIE.

This followed claims it had plagiarised information.

'Conflict procedures'

The investigation was requested by HIE chief executive Sandy Cumming.

Mr Roe said: "I am confident that when the inquiry that Sandy has commissioned is completed that this will completely clear the air on both of the issues."

Edinburgh-based Rocket Science, founded by Mr Roe in 2001, was hired by HIE on 15 separate occasions.

The economic development agency has insisted strict conflict of interest procedures were enforced and all contracts to the company followed proper procurement procedures.

Rocket Science's clients include the Scottish Government, Big Lottery Fund, Glasgow City Council, London Development Agency and Newcastle City Council.