Commenting on the ruling by the Scottish Parliament’s Standards Committee that Labour leader Wendy Alexander broke parliamentary rules by not declaring donations in her leadership campaign, Liberal Democrat MSP and former Convener of the Standards Committee Mike Rumbles said:

“The Scottish Parliament’s Standards Committee has found that Wendy Alexander breached strict parliamentary rules. These rules apply to all 129 MSPs and it’s absolutely right and proper that action is taken.

“The argument that Wendy Alexander put forward, that she took advice from the clerks, is more a plea of mitigation than a defence and even that advice is disputed.

“The facts of the matter are clear. Wendy Alexander failed to declare income that she received over the £540 limit. Now, due process must take its course.”