Douglas Ross avoids sanctions over undeclared earnings
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MORAY MP Douglas Ross will not be sanctioned after failing to declare earnings from his roles as an MSP and referee.
The Scottish Conservative leader failed to declare £10,745 in earnings from his role as a list MSP for the Highlands and Islands and £6,728.57 from his role as a referee in his register of interests at Westminster.
Mr Ross referred himself to the Standards Commissioner in November and apologised for the oversight.
The Standards Commissioner has now ruled that there was "no deliberate attempt to mislead" and will take no further action against Mr Ross.
Mr Ross said: "I referred myself to the Standards Commission as I knew I had made a big mistake by not registering these payments on time and I apologised profusely at the time, I reiterate that apology again now.
"I said last year I would abide by the decision reached by the Standards Commissioner and I have assisted Kathryn Stone and her team throughout the time they have looked into this.
"I’m very pleased they have decided to take no further action and stated there was no deliberate attempt to mislead.
"I have put measures in place to prevent this happening again.
"My MSP salary continues to be donated to local charities here in Moray and all future payments will be declared on time within the guidance set for MPs."
