Fergusson urged to refuse his pension if re-elected as MSP

HOLYROOD's Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson is facing pressure to refuse a pension of more than £21,000 a year if he is returned to Holyrood as a Conservative MSP in May.

Under current rules, Mr Fergusson is entitled to a non- contributory pension of 21,613 for his role over the past four years. The pension is payable every year for life from the day he stands down.

However, Mr Fergusson has already indicated his intention to stand down as Presiding Officer, and seek re-election as a Tory MSP, where, if he wins his seat, he will also receive a salary of 57,521.

SNP MSP John Wilson said: "He should seriously reconsider whether or not, in this economic climate, given the financial constraints on the public sector, to defer that pension until such time he stands down from parliament."