MSP's solar-panels stunt not such a bright idea after all

RICHARD Lochhead, the SNP MSP, wanted the world to know his green credentials and invited the media to his Forres home as workmen fitted solar panels.

"The Moray MSP is set to be the first MSP to have solar panels installed into his home," his announcement trumpeted.

Unfortunately for Mr Lochhead, he was not the first - Andrew Arbuckle, a Liberal Democrat MSP, has had them on his cottage in Fife for five years.

And two Green MSPs are going even further, constructing large-scale wind turbines next to their homes which will produce enough electricity to help power the national grid.

Mr Lochhead had hoped that his publicity stunt would promote his - and his party's - green credentials. But all it did was draw attention to the efforts of others, which had not been championed by their parties.

Mr Arbuckle said: "The truth with the SNP is that they concentrated on producing hot air, while the Liberal Democrats have been concentrating on renewables."

Mr Lochhead refused to admit to any embarrassment last night, saying: "I am delighted to learn that I am not the only MSP to install solar panels.

"I hope there will be many more in the future."