Politicians, Money and Sense

The news that Tricia Marwick made regular 'cash gifts' to her niece Natalie McGarry just goes to show that some politicians have more money than sense.

Marwick, the former SNP MSP and presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, is now the Chair of Fife NHS (courtesy of SNP Ministers) and says she gave her niece hundreds of pounds in cash every month or so between April 2013 and November 2015.

Even after Natalie McGarry became an elected SNP MSP in May 2015 - a very highly paid job, of course, at £74,000 a year plus pension benefits and expenses.

All very odd in my view - why would you do such a thing and why would such a lot of money always be handed over in cash?

Natalie McGarry's trial continues at Glasgow Sheriff Court.


Are They Barking Mad, Or What? (March 18, 2022)

Tricia Marwick is a retired SNP MSP and former presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament - who is in receipt of a generous pension while also acting as the part-time Chair of Fife Health Board on a salary of £32,725 a year.

But Tricia has got her knickers in a terrible twist over students at St Andrews University making fun of Nicola Sturgeon.

Tricia branded them 'anti-Scottish' and 'anti-women while an SNP MSP (Jim Fairlie) picked up the scent and said the students 'vilify us as a nation'.

Are they barking mad, or what?
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Holding Scottish Ministers to Account (February 02, 2022)

I thought it would be impossible to have a worse Presiding Officer than Tricia Marwick, but I have to hold my hands up and accept I was wrong! 

The rules and conventions of the Scottish Parliament make it very difficult for backbench MSPs to hold powerful ministers to account, but they should have an ally in the Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) which clearly they do not.

Tricia has now retired, but I think I'm right in saying she's now into the second term of her appointment (by Scottish Ministers) as Chair of Fife health board.

Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone to be new presiding officer - BBC News

Alison Johnstone

Just two by-elections needed ... why the SNP still hopes to reach Holyrood majority | HeraldScotland

Tricia Marwick





 

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