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Enterprise chief cash row probed Enterprise chief cash row probed
(1 day later)
Contracts awarded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to a company run by the chairman of the agency are to be investigated.Contracts awarded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) to a company run by the chairman of the agency are to be investigated.
The internal probe into almost £100,000 worth of contracts given to Willie Roe's consultancy firm Rocket Science is to be overseen by Audit Scotland.The internal probe into almost £100,000 worth of contracts given to Willie Roe's consultancy firm Rocket Science is to be overseen by Audit Scotland.
The firm recently had to repay an £8,000 consultancy fee to HIE following claims it had plagiarised information.The firm recently had to repay an £8,000 consultancy fee to HIE following claims it had plagiarised information.
Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon said HIE needed to restore public confidence.Conservative MSP Mary Scanlon said HIE needed to restore public confidence.
"Highlands and Islands Enterprise just thought this would go away," she said."Highlands and Islands Enterprise just thought this would go away," she said.
"I think they've been very slow off the mark but I'm delighted that they're carrying out an internal review."I think they've been very slow off the mark but I'm delighted that they're carrying out an internal review.
"It's not for me to call for Willie Roe to resign, but I think at the point he becomes an embarrassment to an excellent organisation like Highlands and Islands Enterprise, he needs to question his future.""It's not for me to call for Willie Roe to resign, but I think at the point he becomes an embarrassment to an excellent organisation like Highlands and Islands Enterprise, he needs to question his future."
Consultancy firm Rocket Science was hired by HIE on 15 separate occasions.Consultancy firm Rocket Science was hired by HIE on 15 separate occasions.
HIE has previously said strict conflict of interest procedures were enforced and all contracts to the company followed proper procurement procedures.HIE has previously said strict conflict of interest procedures were enforced and all contracts to the company followed proper procurement procedures.
A spokeswoman for HIE said: "As soon as plagiarism of the Skills Utilisation study was identified, Rocket Science notified HIE and refunded our fee.
"In the light of this, our head of Internal Audit and Compliance is now reviewing all previous reports submitted to HIE from Rocket Science to ascertain whether the example recently publicised is a one-off occurrence.
"Our audit of Rocket Science reports should be completed by the end of May."
Mr Roe founded Edinburgh-based Rocket Science in 2001.Mr Roe founded Edinburgh-based Rocket Science in 2001.
Its clients include the Scottish Government, Big Lottery Fund, Glasgow City Council, London Development Agency and Newcastle City Council.Its clients include the Scottish Government, Big Lottery Fund, Glasgow City Council, London Development Agency and Newcastle City Council.
Richard Scothorne, managing director of Rocket Science, said: "I very much welcome the opportunity the inquiry provides to show that our work was carried out to the highest professional standards."