AN MSP recently rocked by an office scandal has said 108 ethical complaints have been dismissed.
Murdo Fraser, whose communications manager was recently rapped by party chiefs for “unacceptable” social media posts attacking opponents, has said it meant he had been cleared of a total of 135 complaints about his conduct in the past two years.
He said “every” complaint made against him was “groundless, vexatious and politically motivated”, adding that all had been dismissed.
The National has approached the Ethical Standards Commission for confirmation of this.
Fraser said the current complaints set-up was “farcical” and claimed it was being “weaponised” by SNP supporters to attack him.
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He tweeted: “Have just been advised by the Ethical Standards Commissioner that a further 108 complaints against me have all now been dismissed.
Have just been advised by the Ethical Standards Commissioner that a further 108 complaints against me have all now been dismissed. That makes a total of 135 in the last 2 years, every one groundless, vexatious and politically motivated, and every one dismissed (1/2)
— Murdo Fraser (@murdo_fraser) September 6, 2022
“That makes a total of 135 in the last 2 years, every one groundless, vexatious and politically motivated, and every one dismissed.
“Gratified as I am at this outcome, this situation is farcical.
“The complaints system is being weaponised by supporters of the SNP [Government] to harass opposition MSPs trying to hold the [Government] to account.
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“It has to change, and I will be meeting the Commissioner to discuss next steps.”
Responding to a follower who asked if he had been provided with the names of complainants and if there was a “pattern”, Fraser responded: “Yes and yes, but I am not permitted to give details.”
Paul Reoch, Fraser’s communications manager, was disciplined by the Scottish Conservatives for sharing posts the party described as “unacceptable”.
They included a post in which he joked that Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was Nicola Sturgeon’s dad and called police officers celebrating Pride a “bunch of pussies”.
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