TROUBLED business development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) must review its procedures if an internal investigation finds rules were broken when approving £100,000 of work to its chairman’s own company, according to an SNP politician.
Rob Gibson has called for a meeting with HIE bosses as soon as possible to discuss the controversy surrounding the probe into 15 contracts awarded to chairman William Roe’s Edinburgh-based firm, Rocket Science.
The results of an internal audit, overseen by Audit Scotland, are due to be delivered next month, but Mr Gibson wants MSPs to be allowed to discuss the matter with top officials now.
“The sooner the better, because we can always have another one when they publish the results,” said the Highlands and Islands MSP.
“Transparency is everything and a meeting with MSPs at an early stage would be a useful idea.
“They need to follow the rules and if they aren’t adequate to avoid conflicts of interest then it’s time to review those rules.
“The first of which is for MSPs to actually meet officials at Highlands and Islands Enterprise and discuss the rules with them because this crisis has arisen.”
Mr Gibson has also backed calls for HIE to change its policy and make board meetings public again, after halting open meetings in June 2007.
An HIE spokeswoman pledged it will publish a report on the audit findings on its website when it delivers its response to results next month.
“The audit committee will examine the report and make recommendations on any follow-up actions which members decide may be necessary,” she added.
MSP calls for talks with HIE over £100,000 controversy
