Difference between revisions of "Caledonia Consulting"
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[[Image:Caledoniateampic.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The Caledonia lobbyists who run the [[SPBE]] (from left to right) | [[Image:Caledoniateampic.jpg|right|thumb|400px|The Caledonia lobbyists who run the [[SPBE]] (from left to right) | ||
David Davidson, Mike Watson, Devin Scobie, Andrew Scobbie and Lynda Gauld]] | David Davidson, Mike Watson, Devin Scobie, Andrew Scobbie and Lynda Gauld]] | ||
| + | Caledonia Consulting is a lobbying firm in Edinburgh which is run by long time lobbyist [[Devin Scobie]]. Scobie used to work for the controversial lobby firm [[GPC International]] (involved in the [[Derek Draper]] affair). The firm is controversial because Scobie was simultaneously (until January 2008) the director of the [[Scottish Parliament Business Exchange]] a venture set up in the [[Scottish Parliament]] with the stated purpose of educating MSPs and business about each other. It states that it is 'non-lobbying' and yet many of those associated with it (including Scobie) were/are professional lobbyists.<ref>[http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1443938.0.criticism_over_relaunched_holyrood_business_scheme.php Criticism over relaunched Holyrood business scheme] By Paul Hutcheon</ref> This apparent conflict in the operations of the Exchange led to an inquiry into its activities by the [[Standards Committee]] of the [[Scottish Parliament]].<ref>Standards Committee 9th Report 2002[http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/historic/standards/reports-02/str02-09-01.htm Report on The Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange] SP Paper 694 Session 1 (2002)</ref> | ||
| + | Also at Caledonia was another member of the SPBE, [[Lynda Gauld]] a former lobbyist for [[Pfizer]].<ref>[http://www.spinwatch.org/content/view/4523/29/ SPBE facilitates lobbying forum access to Scottish Parliament] Blogs - David Miller - Unspun Spinwatch, David Miller, 9 January 2008</ref> This controversy is compounded by the fact that Caledonia has hired two former MSPs. One [[David Davidson]] of the [[conservative Party]] was also connected with the SPBE while elected as an MSP. The other [[Mike Watson]] is the disgraced former Labour minister imprisoned for 'fire raising' after he set alight the curtains at an Edinburgh hotel during a Scottish political awards event.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20070805/ai_n19444216 Disgraced peer lands job with lobbying firm CONSULTANCY: NEW POST] Sunday Herald, The, Aug 5, 2007 by Paul Hutcheon Scottish Political Editor</ref> | ||
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| + | Caledonia are not members of the [[Association of Professional Political Consultants]] and thus do not divulge their clients. | ||
==People== | ==People== | ||
[[Devin Scobie]] | [[David Davidson]] | [[Lynda Gauld]] | [[Andrew Scobbie]] | [[Mike Watson]]<ref>http://www.caledoniaconsulting.co.uk/ourteam.html</ref> | [[Devin Scobie]] | [[David Davidson]] | [[Lynda Gauld]] | [[Andrew Scobbie]] | [[Mike Watson]]<ref>http://www.caledoniaconsulting.co.uk/ourteam.html</ref> | ||
Revision as of 20:00, 21 April 2008
Caledonia Consulting is a lobbying firm in Edinburgh which is run by long time lobbyist Devin Scobie. Scobie used to work for the controversial lobby firm GPC International (involved in the Derek Draper affair). The firm is controversial because Scobie was simultaneously (until January 2008) the director of the Scottish Parliament Business Exchange a venture set up in the Scottish Parliament with the stated purpose of educating MSPs and business about each other. It states that it is 'non-lobbying' and yet many of those associated with it (including Scobie) were/are professional lobbyists.[1] This apparent conflict in the operations of the Exchange led to an inquiry into its activities by the Standards Committee of the Scottish Parliament.[2]
Also at Caledonia was another member of the SPBE, Lynda Gauld a former lobbyist for Pfizer.[3] This controversy is compounded by the fact that Caledonia has hired two former MSPs. One David Davidson of the conservative Party was also connected with the SPBE while elected as an MSP. The other Mike Watson is the disgraced former Labour minister imprisoned for 'fire raising' after he set alight the curtains at an Edinburgh hotel during a Scottish political awards event.[4]
Caledonia are not members of the Association of Professional Political Consultants and thus do not divulge their clients.
People
Devin Scobie | David Davidson | Lynda Gauld | Andrew Scobbie | Mike Watson[5]
contact, resources, notes
contact
http://www.caledoniaconsulting.co.uk/
Resources
- SPBE facilitates lobbying forum access to Scottish Parliament Blogs - David Miller - Unspun Spinwatch, David Miller, 9 January 2008
Notes
- ↑ Criticism over relaunched Holyrood business scheme By Paul Hutcheon
- ↑ Standards Committee 9th Report 2002Report on The Scottish Parliament and Business Exchange SP Paper 694 Session 1 (2002)
- ↑ SPBE facilitates lobbying forum access to Scottish Parliament Blogs - David Miller - Unspun Spinwatch, David Miller, 9 January 2008
- ↑ Disgraced peer lands job with lobbying firm CONSULTANCY: NEW POST Sunday Herald, The, Aug 5, 2007 by Paul Hutcheon Scottish Political Editor
- ↑ http://www.caledoniaconsulting.co.uk/ourteam.html
