Scottish Labour has called for an investigation into Alex Salmond’s earnings since stepping down as first minister.
The party said Mr Salmond, who continues to work as an MSP, ‘has failed to declare his interests as a columnist and has not yet declared any advance payments for his recently-published book, or for its serialisation in the Scottish Sun’.
Every MSP is obliged to update their register of interests within 30 days of acquiring a new interest outside of politics, the party said, and its parliamentary business manager James Kelly has written to the Standards Commissioner with his concerns.
Mr Kelly said: “Alex Salmond is currently doing the rounds to drum up interest for his book, but he should remember his first job is as an MSP and his first responsibility is to his constituents, not his publishers.
“Mr Salmond has failed to declare his outside earnings since stepping down as first minister. Working people across Scotland find their pay packets aren’t stretching far enough to cover the bills, meanwhile Mr Salmond appears to be getting so many different wages he doesn’t have time to declare them.
“I have asked the Standards Commissioner to investigate this failure from the former first minister. We need to rebuild trust in politics. That is why a UK Labour Government will ban MPs from having paid directorships or consultancies, and a Scottish Labour Government will do the same for MSPs.”
A spokesman for the former first minister said: “Mr Salmond will be delighted to update the register at the appropriate time according to the rules.
“By definition, something has to be received before it can be declared, and this is still to happen.”