This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/scotland_politics/8497900.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Bosses probe SNP's lunch auction Bosses probe SNP's lunch auction
(about 1 hour later)
Scottish Parliament bosses are to look into whether Alex Salmond broke the rules by planning to host a lunch at Holyrood in return for party donations.Scottish Parliament bosses are to look into whether Alex Salmond broke the rules by planning to host a lunch at Holyrood in return for party donations.
Lunch dates with the first minister and deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, were auctioned for £9,000 and £2,000 respectively.Lunch dates with the first minister and deputy, Nicola Sturgeon, were auctioned for £9,000 and £2,000 respectively.
The SNP insisted no rules were broken, but has sought clarification.The SNP insisted no rules were broken, but has sought clarification.
Holyrood chiefs pointed out that resources were provided to support MSPs in their parliamentary duties, not "significant party political purposes". Holyrood chiefs pointed out it provided resources to support MSPs in their parliamentary duties, not "significant party political purposes".
The meal for four, to be hosted by Mr Salmond at the Holyrood restaurant, was sold at a party fundraising event to raise money for the Glasgow Central constituency - a seat the SNP is hoping to win from Labour at the next general election.The meal for four, to be hosted by Mr Salmond at the Holyrood restaurant, was sold at a party fundraising event to raise money for the Glasgow Central constituency - a seat the SNP is hoping to win from Labour at the next general election.
Scottish ministers should not be available to the highest bidder Mike RumblesScottish Liberal Democrats This raises serious questions about the abuse of the resources of this parliament Paul MartinScottish Labour
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said there were serious questions to be answered, including who bought the lunches and if advice was sought from the parliament before the auction. It led to angry scenes in the Holyrood chamber, with Labour raising concern the rules had been breached.
Mr Gray said: "Was it wrong of the first minister to auction lunch with himself in Holyrood to raise £9,000 for the SNP? Such grubby behaviour demeans the office." In a point of order, Labour MSP Paul Martin, son of former Commons speaker Lord Martin, said: "This raises serious questions about the abuse of the resources of this parliament or indeed the office of the first minister of the Scottish Parliament. These questions must be answered."
Fighting back, Mr Salmond said: "Given no lunch took place, there can possibly have been no breach."
The first minister, who sits as an MP as well as an MSP, went on to point out Labour had not raised the issue during question time at Holyrood earlier in the day.
Referring to the Westminster expenses report, he added: "This is the day that every other party leader had to repay Thomas Legg, including £13,723 from Gordon Brown, while I was given the all clear."
A Scottish Parliament spokesman said Holyrood's management team, the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, would establish the facts of the case and consider a report on the issue.A Scottish Parliament spokesman said Holyrood's management team, the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, would establish the facts of the case and consider a report on the issue.
The spokesman added: "The policy on the use of parliamentary resources states that parliamentary resources are provided by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body to support members with their parliamentary duties.The spokesman added: "The policy on the use of parliamentary resources states that parliamentary resources are provided by the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body to support members with their parliamentary duties.
"These resources, which include the members' restaurant, must not be used for any other purpose, including any significant party political purposes.""These resources, which include the members' restaurant, must not be used for any other purpose, including any significant party political purposes."
'Ill advised''Ill advised'
In a letter from Mr Salmond to Scottish Parliament chief executive Paul Grice, he stated on the use of resources: "My view would be that this does not include the dining facilities that are paid for, as opposed to the parliament resources, which are provided.In a letter from Mr Salmond to Scottish Parliament chief executive Paul Grice, he stated on the use of resources: "My view would be that this does not include the dining facilities that are paid for, as opposed to the parliament resources, which are provided.
"If this is the case, then there would be no bar against having a lunch in the manner described.""If this is the case, then there would be no bar against having a lunch in the manner described."
The first minister's letter continued: "There is also the question of whether a lunch in itself constitutes a 'significant party political purpose', as opposed to the auction, which took place elsewhere."The first minister's letter continued: "There is also the question of whether a lunch in itself constitutes a 'significant party political purpose', as opposed to the auction, which took place elsewhere."
In 2007, Tory leader David Cameron was rebuked by the parliamentary standards watchdog for using his tax-payer funded Commons office to raise money for the Conservative Party.In 2007, Tory leader David Cameron was rebuked by the parliamentary standards watchdog for using his tax-payer funded Commons office to raise money for the Conservative Party.
The Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges said Mr Cameron had been "ill advised" to offer meetings at his office for members of a Conservative fundraising club.The Commons Committee on Standards and Privileges said Mr Cameron had been "ill advised" to offer meetings at his office for members of a Conservative fundraising club.
The SNP said this case referred to the use of a private parliamentary office, rather than the House of Commons dining rooms.The SNP said this case referred to the use of a private parliamentary office, rather than the House of Commons dining rooms.
Scottish Liberal Democrat chief whip Mike Rumbles, said: "Scottish ministers should not be available to the highest bidder. Scottish Liberal Democrat chief whip Mike Rumbles said: "Scottish ministers should not be available to the highest bidder.
"I'd have thought that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon would have learned from David Cameron's cash for access scandal.""I'd have thought that Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon would have learned from David Cameron's cash for access scandal."