Cross Party Group on the Civil Nuclear Industry

Key Personnel

[1]

Convener: John Home Robertson

Co-Conveners: Chris Ballance and Alex Johnstone

Secretary: Elaine Murray

Treasurer: Jamie Stone

Members who are MSPs

• Shiona Baird
• Richard Baker
• Chris Ballance
• Murdo Fraser
• Phil Gallie
• Shiona Baird
• Richard Baker
• Chris Ballance
• Murdo Fraser
• Phil Gallie
• Karen Gillon
• John Home Robertson
• Alex Johnstone
• Michael McMahon
• Duncan McNeil
• Christine May
• Alasdair Morrison
• Elaine Murray
• Mary Scanlon
• John Scott
• Stewart Stevenson
• Jamie Stone
• John Swinburne

Members who are not MSPs

• Neil Cardwell (researcher of Richard Baker MSP)
• Tony King (MSP Researcher)
• Ian Price Nirex
• Linda Smith British Energy
• Simon Tiernan (researcher of John Home Robertson MSP)

Nuclear Sleaze

The Scottish equivilent of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Nuclear Energy has been set up by MSPs to promote “consideration and discussion of aspects of the civil nuclear industry which come within the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament, including environmental, economic and planning issues relating to the commissioning, operation and decommissioning of nuclear plant, and liaison with interested groups, including management and employees in the industry and other stakeholders."

[2]

It is supposed to be neutral on nuclear power. But this seems not to be the case. According to a report in the Sunday Herald [[3]], the Scotttish Parliament has been asked to investigate whether the Cross Party Group "flouted anti-sleaze rules" as it has "has failed to register a number of trips and dinners financed by organisations that support the controversial energy source."

According to the paper "Critics say the group has broken the MSPs’ code of conduct and compromised the forum’s impartiality by accepting financial benefits from outfits that back new reactors. They want parliament to examine the role of commercial lobbyists in arranging meetings between their pro-nuclear clients and politicians".

The Sunday Herald alleges that the "CPG didn’t mention on its website that secretarial support is provided by British Energy, the pro-nuclear company that runs eight power stations in the UK. Services include drafting agendas and taking minutes of meetings, none of which is made available to the public".

"The group’s register also leaves the 'financial benefits' section blank, despite Holyrood rules requiring CPGs to register 'financial or other benefits' exceeding £250 received from any source.

"But last August, nuclear plant operator British Nuclear Fuels Limited funded 'accommodation' costs for MSPs to visit the reprocessing plant at Sellafield".

"Weeks later, the CPG and its Westminster equivalent, the all-party group on nuclear energy, attended a dinner paid for them by the nuclear industry. This was preceded months earlier by a trip to Torness, home to one of Scotland’s nuclear plants, part of which was funded by British Energy".

Green MSP Chris Ballance, who is a member of the CPG, told the Sunday Herald: "I have always been concerned with the pro-nuclear direction of the group, as it is supposed to be impartial."

SSP leader Colin Fox said: "The standards committee should investigate this cross party group as soon as possible. Given the undeclared financial help it has received, it seems it is a front for the nuclear lobby."

Secret Spinners

Another controversy involving the group is that well known lobbyist Rachel Robertson from Fleishman-Hillard's London office was on the Group, although she was listed as being from Nirex and not the PR company itself. [4]

She has been replaced by Ian Price, who is also listed as being from Nirex. Could this be the same Ian Price who is from Fleishman-Hillard's Edinburgh office? [5]