Gavin Yates (Edinburgh, GYmedia): Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond appears to have got himself into a bit of a pickle over his dual role of MP and MSP.
Mr Salmond represents Banff and Buchan at Westminster and has not been in the chamber for 100 days but has been collecting both a Holyrood and Westminster salary since he became FM. The LibDems have called on him to resign but he has repeatedly pointed out that former FM Donald Dewar held the dual role until he resigned his Westminster seat at the occasion of the UK General Election. However, Mr Dewar represented the same constituency whilst Mr Salmond represents Gordon at Holyrood.
On the salaries issue, Mr Salmond has said he will only draw his Westminster salary and will pay back the money he has received from the Scottish Parliament since he was elected as an MSP in May.
Meanwhile, it appears that the Barnett Formula is set to be reviewed by a Lords Committee. As you would have read on OK earlier this week Gordon Brown appeared to be in favour of the idea. It should also be remembered that as the Formula is not enshrined in law the Treasury could amend it without a vote in the House.
How will English commentators react to the First Minster drawing a salary from a Parliament he is unlikely to have time to speak at whilst he lobbies for the retention of the current Barnett Formula or full fiscal autonomy for Scotland?
