MSP declares £2m property empire in new register

A NEWLY elected SNP MSP runs a huge Edinburgh property portfolio worth more than £2 million, it emerged yesterday.

Stefan Tymkewycz, who was elected for the first time in May as an MSP for the Lothians, declared his empire in the latest register of members' interests, which was published yesterday.

He has 15 rental flats in the city, most of which are worth between 100,000 and 150,000, bringing in an income of up to 115,000 for Mr Tymkewycz

The MSP said yesterday he had built up the portfolio since 1994.

He said: "I slowly built it up through a lot of hard work and in a climate where the property market was much different to what it is today in Edinburgh."

Mr Tymkewycz said he would be amending the register soon because he had sold one of his properties recently.

The register also showed that Alex Salmond has a pass entitling him to attend any race meeting in Scotland.

Although the First Minister is a keen follower of horse racing, he is not the only MSP to have been given the Scottish Racing badge - several of his colleagues have got them as well.

Mr Salmond also declared an upgrade on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Los Angeles that he received in May last year.

Jack McConnell, the Scottish Labour leader, has registered his membership of two trade unions, the GMB and Community, and also his membership of Friends of the Earth and Amnesty International.