'Disgust' at Fred Goodwin's new job with architects

POLITICIANS today expressed bemusement and "disgust" after it emerged that former Royal Bank of Scotland boss Sir Fred Goodwin started a new job at an architectural firm.

Sir Fred, dubbed "Fred the Shred", has been appointed as a senior adviser with architectural practice RMJM, where he began work just before Christmas.

The firm has its headquarters in Edinburgh and was involved in designing the controversial Scottish Parliament building, although the current management had no involvement in that project.

Margo MacDonald, independent MSP for the Lothians, said: "My reaction is one of faint disgust. One of the things that people objected to was the size of Mr Goodwin's pension pot. It now transpires that he is not really pensioned off at all."

Michael Connarty, Labour MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, added: "There is a deep irony that one of the architects of RBS' downfall is now working for the architects involved in the Holyrood building fiasco."