Something smells fishy, Tavish

ROW Controversy over fish held in putrid sea pens

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BY HANNAH RODGER Political Editor A FORMER government minister is under formal parliamentary investigation over claims he broke lobbying rules and verbally "attacked" a Tory MSP.

Ex-Lib Dem leader Tavish Scott, who is now CEO of industry body Salmon Scotland, faces a formal probe by Holyrood's Ethical Standards Commissioner.

It comes after a complaint was lodged by renewable energy entrepreneur Dale Vince's Green Britain Foundation pressure group over a confrontation between Scott and Highlands and Islands MSP Edward Mountain.

Scott, who led the Scottish Lib Dems from 2008 to 2011 and was a minister for seven years, continues to hold a parliamentary pass allowing him access to the corridors of power despite his new job which involves corporate lobbying for the fish farming industry.

Vince said: “We're talking about an industry already kneedeep in environmental carnage, now allegedly trying to dodge rules that keep our democracy honest.