Highlands' one time rising political star sentenced for election fraud
The SNP has been attacked for failing to rein in Alex MacLeod as he spent lavishly in his illegal campaign to become the youngest ever Highland councillor.
MacLeod’s shock resignation from the local authority last September in light of court proceedings left taxpayers with a £16,349 bill. Highland Council had to run a by-election, which was won by a former policeman, to replace the disgraced politician.
MacLeod overspent by more than three times the £1,226.04 limit allowed to clinch his Caithness seat. Strict rules are in place so candidates cannot spend heavily to win elections.
MacLeod declared campaign expenditure of £1,162.58. But he had actually splurged £3,796.28.
At Inverness Sheriff Court today, MacLeod, who had earlier pled guilty, was ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid community work.
MacLeod quit the SNP in December 2012 when it emerged a police report had been sent to the procurator fiscal about his illegal spending.
Opposition leader Carolyn Wilson said the party should have offered him stricter guidance as the then 19-year-old – who was tipped as a rising star in the SNP ranks and had worked for First Minister Alex Salmond – went on the campaign trail.
"It is always good to encourage young people in our democratic system," said Councillor Wilson, who leads the Independent group.
"Everybody is responsible for their own actions. But when you think they are part of a political organisation there is also a duty of care if they are standing as a candidate and they should be given guidance and advice."
She added that nobody had ever doubted the enthusiasm of the young councillor, who was the SNP’s Gaelic spokesman and was involved as the fledging Nationalist/Liberal Democrat/Labour council administration drew up its programme after the May 2012 election.
MacLeod’s election agent was John Robertson, a Nairn-based SNP party member.
Mr Robertson said MacLeod received the same guidance about the spending limit as the party’s 33 Highland candidates.
"I was the election agent for 32 of the 33 candidates," said Mr Robertson. "Alex MacLeod got the same advice and the legalities of being a candidate and exactly what his expenses were. He got that advice in writing. In terms of campaigning, that is not an election agent’s role, the role is to ensure his candidacy was legal and accurate.
"Alex made a mistake."
MacLeod worked as a campaign manager for the Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross SNP MSP Rob Gibson when he won his constituency seat in the 2011 Holyrood elections.
Mr Gibson would not discuss whether the party should have issued stricter guidelines to MacLeod.
"It is a council matter, it is nothing to do with me as a Parliamentarian," he said. "Clearly, I regret the fact that Alex MacLeod did not put in the correct returns."
Drew Hendry, the SNP group leader on the council, declined to comment.
Matthew Reiss was elected to replace MacLeod in November.
Highland Council said last month it had no plans to review its guidance to candidates about campaign spending limits in future elections.
A spokesman said spending limits were "clearly spelled out" to all candidates and their agents.
