McLeish Either Lied Or Is Senile

Press Release 09 November 2001
Glenrothes Scottish Socialist Party reiterated their demand that Henry McLeish stand down from the Scottish Parliament in the light of a sixth undeclared office rent. Having been given numerous opportunities to make a full and frank disclosure, the revelation that charity group Third Age had rented office space from McLeish casts doubt on the belief that Henry McLeish acted innocently but incompetently.

Third Age rented office space in Hanover Court between 1995 and 1997. Both of the successive part-time co-ordinators employed by Third Age were Labour Party members - one, Angela McCallum, a Labour Councillor, the other, Lynda Struthers, a former secretary of Central Fife constituency Labour Party who was also McLeish's election agent in 1997. Henry McLeish must have been aware that they were there, and the rental cheques were made out to Henry B McLeish.

That McLeish himself did not reveal these facts voluntarily can only lead to one of two logical conclusions being correct. Either Henry McLeish deliberately misled the Scottish Parliament and his constituents when he claimed a few days ago to have made a full disclosure, or he is suffering from a condition affecting memory akin to dementia. No other explanation for neglecting to mention a rental involving Lynda Struthers is possible.

Jim Balfour commented,

"If Henry McLeish deceived the Parliament and more importantly his constituents, he should be forced to resign his seat immediately. If he has a condition which results in severe memory loss such as forgetting close colleagues, I would also question his suitability to continue as an MSP."