Commenting on the news that Highlands and Island Enterprise Chair William Roe has stepped down from his position at Rocket Science consultancy following a probe by HIE and Audit Scotland into contracts awarded to the firm, Liberal Democrat Highland MSP Jamie Stone said: "As an MSP and in public life, a position not so different from William Roe, I know that my interests professional and otherwise have to be beyond question or reproach. In this regard William Roe has done the right thing.

"There is, however, still a perception that big companies like Rocket Science have a direct line to the enterprise network which small and efficient companies in the Highlands and Islands do not enjoy. This poses a direct question for Highlands and Islands Enterprise."