SNP Golden Goodbyes - A Racket - Not A Fiddle
Tom Gordon hits the nail on the head with his description of Holyrood's golden goodbye payments scheme as a 'racket'.
The current scheme was put in place by MSPs back in 2008 and the SNP has presided over the same lousy system ever since.
Westminster has changed its rules, as have Wales and Northern Ireland, but the Scottish Parliament retained its scheme which is really the equivalent of money for old rope.
The latest beneficiaries include the former SNP finance minister, Derek Mackay (£54,000), along with outgoing SNP ministers Aileen Campbell (£75,000), Mike Russell (£76,500) and Roseanna Cunningham (£76,500) - and the first £30,000 is tax free.
As Tom Gordon observes:
"Our system is bloated, out-dated, inflexible and unfair."So while MSPs may be following the 'rules' the fact is the rules are not fit for purpose and the SNP should be ashamed of allowing the public purse to be shamelessly ripped off in this way.
Definitely a racket not a fiddle!