Ross Finnie
Ross Finnie | |
---|---|
Minister for the Environment and Rural Development | |
In office 19 May 1999 – 17 May 2007 | |
First Minister | Jack McConnell Henry McLeish Donald Dewar |
Preceded by | None |
Succeeded by | Richard Lochhead |
Member of the Scottish Parliament for West of Scotland | |
In office 6 May 1999 – 22 March 2011 | |
Personal details | |
Born | James Ross Finnie 11 February 1947 Greenock, Scotland |
Political party | Scottish Liberal Democrats |
Occupation | Accountant |
James Ross Finnie (born 11 February 1947)
Background
Finnie was educated at
Member of the Scottish Parliament
He stood for election to the Scottish Parliament at the first elections in 1999. He came second in the Greenock and Inverclyde constituency, but was elected as an additional member for the West of Scotland region.[2] He was re-elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2003[3] and 2007.[4]
Following the 1999 election, the Scottish Liberal Democrats entered into a coalition agreement with the
One of the main events in Finnie's time as Minister for Environment and Rural Affairs was the outbreak of
In January 2004, Finnie took a three-month absence from office to undergo
Finnie was unsuccessful in his bid to be re-elected in the 2011 Scottish Parliament election, losing his seat after 12 years.
Leadership contest
On 7 July 2008, Ross Finnie announced his intention to stand in the election for leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, following the resignation of Nicol Stephen MSP. On 26 August 2008, he was defeated by Tavish Scott.[8]
Controversies
In September 2002, Finnie apologised to Digby Jones, the director general of the Confederation of British Industry, after branding him an "English prat" at a dinner following a controversial speech by Mr Jones.[9]
Later that month, Finnie apologised for giving wrong information to the Scottish Parliament during a debate. He had told Parliament that sheep were no longer grazing on the banks of
In June 2006, Finnie cancelled a tender for a new fishery protection vessel for the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. The tender has been provisionally awarded to English firm Appledore, but Finnie claimed there was a "fatal flaw" in the tendering process which could have left the Executive liable for damages if the tender had proceeded. However, the Scotland on Sunday reported that a rival bidder, Port Glasgow based Ferguson's was both in Finnie's constituency, and that he was a lifelong friend of the chief executive.[11]
Water Industry Commission for Scotland
In December 2011, it was announced that he would become a non-executive member of the Water Industry Commission for Scotland,[12] taking up the position in July 2012.[13]
Food Standards Scotland
In November 2014, his appointment as the chair of Food Standards Scotland was announced.[14]
References
- ^ a b "FINNIE, (James) Ross". Who's Who. Vol. 2019 (online ed.). A & C Black. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- The Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- The Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- The Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- ^ "Donald Dewar Announces First Cabinet". Scottish Office. 17 May 1999. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
- ^ "Disease handling praise for Scotland". BBC News. 22 July 2002. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ Ross Finnie returns to work, Scottish Executive, 20 April 2004
- ^ "Scott elected new Lib Dem leader". BBC News. 26 August 2008. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ "Finnie says sorry for prat slur". The Scotsman. 2 September 2002. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Finnie fights for survival after fresh gaffe". The Scotsman. 4 September 2002. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Demands for investigation over Finnie contract row". The Scotsman. 16 June 2006. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
- ^ "Water Industry Commission for Scotland". Scottish Government. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ "About us: who's who". Water Industry Commission for Scotland. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ "Food Standards Scotland" (Press release). Scottish Government. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
External links
- Scottish Parliament profiles of MSPs: Ross Finnie
- Ross Finnie MSP bio at Water Industry Commission for Scotland website