This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-23959690

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Disgraced MSP Bill Walker pay sanction discussed Disgraced MSP Bill Walker could have 90% cut in salary if jailed
(about 13 hours later)
Holyrood is to hear plans which could see the disgraced MSP Bill Walker stripped of his parliamentary salary. Disgraced MSP Bill Walker is set to have his parliamentary salary cut by 90% if he is jailed for his domestic abuse crimes.
The Dunfermline MSP is resisting calls to quit despite his conviction on 23 charges of domestic abuse. Holyrood's management team, the corporate body, has recommended the move which must be ratified by MSPs.
Parliament bosses are looking into whether his pay can be withheld if Walker is jailed when he is sentenced later this month. Walker was found guilty of 23 charges. He will learn what his sentence is to be later this month.
But any move at Holyrood would need to be carefully framed to be legally watertight.
Walker was found guilty of 23 charges spanning almost three decades, following a trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The 71-year-old carried out the attacks against his three ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995.The 71-year-old carried out the attacks against his three ex-wives and a stepdaughter between 1967 and 1995.
The former SNP MSP, who was ejected from the party when the allegations surfaced, has refused to give up his seat in the face of intense pressure from politicians and others.
The maximum sentence facing Walker is 12 months imprisonment - but parliamentarians are only automatically expelled if they are jailed for more than a year.The maximum sentence facing Walker is 12 months imprisonment - but parliamentarians are only automatically expelled if they are jailed for more than a year.
The rules are laid down by Westminster and cannot be changed by Holyrood.The rules are laid down by Westminster and cannot be changed by Holyrood.
But the parliament's presiding officer, Tricia Marwick, has instructed officials to examine whether Walker's salary can be stopped if he is in prison, as Holyrood may be able to make decisions on MSP pay provision without having to refer to Westminster. But the parliament's presiding officer, Tricia Marwick, instructed officials to examine whether Walker's salary can be stopped if he is in prison, as Holyrood may be able to make decisions on MSP pay provision without having to refer to Westminster.
In a letter MSPs, Presiding officer Tricia Marwick said: "From reviewing the core functions of a member as set out in the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) paper, we recommend that 90% of salary should be withheld for the duration of imprisonment.
"I shall therefore be seeking the parliamentary bureau's agreement to bring forward a resolution before parliament next week to amend the salary scheme.
"In recommending this course of action to parliament, it should be made clear we do not seek to encroach upon the role of the courts. Our approach should in no way be interpreted as a punishment - that is for the courts."
It has been stressed that action along those lines would not single Walker out - the rule would apply to all MSPs.It has been stressed that action along those lines would not single Walker out - the rule would apply to all MSPs.
Ms Marwick said the decision should be underpinned by a number of principles, including;
A motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie calling on Walker to quit his seat has been signed by more than 90 MSPs.A motion lodged in the Scottish Parliament by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie calling on Walker to quit his seat has been signed by more than 90 MSPs.