Civil servant’s extra £55k role is slammed

The Head of Scottish Enterprise has been criticised after taking up a directorship of a private company.

Lena Wilson, who is paid £200,000 a year for her role as chief executive of the taxpayer-funded economic development agency, will be boosting her income with her new role at London-based FTSE-100 company Intertek.

Ms Wilson was said to be taking on the role in a “personal capacity” and will be paid £55,000 a year in return for working one day each month.

Willie Rennie, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, called for an investigation into the appointment. “For one of Scotland’s highest-paid civil servants to even consider taking such a considerable annual payment is really insensitive when businesses are struggling to keep afloat.”

The Confederation of British Industry welcomed Ms Wilson’s appointment.