Profile: David McLetchie

David McLetchie is still seen as one of the most influential figures in the Scottish Conservatives, despite resigning as leader nearly six years ago.

Mr McLetchie’s endorsement in a leadership election would be prized by any candidate, with the Lothians MSP one of the most popular figures in the party at Holyrood an at grassroots level.

A lawyer by profession, Mr McLetchie led the party in Scotland between 1999 and 2005, before he resigned following a scandal over his expense claims.

As the first Tory leader north of the Border in post-devolution Scotland, Mr McLetchie oversaw a review of the party’s disastrous 1997 general election campaign, when no Conservatives were elected to represent Scottish constituencies.

He is widely regarded as one the party’s best performers in the parliamentary chamber and, as leader, he won respect across the political spectrum. However, he was forced to announce his resignation as leader in October 2005, after it was revealed that he had spent £11,500 of taxpayers’ money on taxi fares, more than any other MSP.

He was heavily criticised for using taxis for Conservative Party business, rather than constituency business. After a spell a back-bencher, he was made Conservative Chief Whip in 2007.

It was a key role during the four years of minority SNP government, when Mr McLetchie lobbied the government for concessions over business rates reductions and increased police numbers, in exchange for support in critical votes.

ANDREW WHITAKER