The controversy surrounding Beattie Media has prompted Aberdeen
City Council to cancel plans to recruit an agency to lobby the Scottish
Parliament.
Aberdeen had advertised in May for either an individual or an agency to
act as its representative in Holyrood. The council received responses
from 18 agencies. But questions were raised in the parliament at the
time, with some MSPs arguing that taxpayers’ money should not be spent
on a lobbying firm.
Aberdeen last week wrote to the agencies who applied for the work to let
them know that their services would not be needed. The council is likely
to opt for hiring an individual in-house to lobby on its behalf.
Aberdeen’s principal publicity and promotions officer, Ray Gibson, said:
’After Beattie people are suspicious.’
- The Scottish Parliament’s Standards Committee questioned Beattie Media
consultants Alex Barr and Kevin Reid, and founder Gordon Beattie, last
Friday. The committee has asked to see Barr’s contacts book and for
further evidence from MSPs Jack McConnell, Henry McLeish, Jackie Baillie
and Kenny MacAskill.
Profile, p28.
