Former MSP 'breached gift rules'

Former West of Scotland MSP Campbell Martin broke the rules by failing to declare a £25,000 gift he received to help buy a house, it has been ruled.

Holyrood's standards committee said he should have detailed the cash in his register of interests when he was given it in 2004.

Mr Martin, who accepted the findings, has since repaid the gift with interest as part of an out-of-court settlement.

He latterly became an independent after being thrown out of the SNP.

Standards committee convener Keith Brown said there was no criminal investigation into the complaint - made by the people who gave Mr Martin the gift in the first place.

"Mr Martin has not sought to deny that he had benefited from the gift, but stated he did not realise at the time that it would require registration," said Mr Brown.

"Mr Martin accepts the findings and conclusions that he should have registered the gift of £25,000."

Mr Martin was expelled from the SNP in 2004 after the party ruled he damaged its interests in the run-up to the Nationalists' poor European election showing with his criticism of then leader John Swinney.

Mr Martin did not return to Holyrood after last year's election.

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