Pension Demo Held Outside McLeish’s Office

17th January 2002
Around a dozen SSP members outraged by Henry McLeish’s award of a £34,000 pension gathered outside Mr McLeish’s office in Hanover Court, Glenrothes today to demonstrate against what they have described as "an insult to pensioners the length and breadth of the country."

A letter outlining their objections was handed to a member of Mr McLeish's staff. The reply will be eagerly awaited, according to the demonstrators.

The protest took place shortly before SSP Convener Tommy Sheridan MSP was due to ask the Scottish Executive whether they are satisfied with the present pension arrangements for former First Ministers and Ministers. These arrangements have led to Henry McLeish receiving his First Minister’s pension while still serving in the Scottish Parliament, giving him an income of £77,000 as long as he remains an MSP.

Local SSP Press Officer Jim Balfour spoke scathingly of the McLeish pension scandal,
"Henry McLeish receiving a pension of £34,000 after being forced to resign in disgrace from a post he held for only 13 months is a slap in the face for everyone in the Country living on low incomes. It is a particular insult to older people who have worked long and hard to receive a pittance of a State Pension."

The plight of retired miners who were promised compensation payouts for industrial injuries such as lung diseases and white finger was another factor the organisers of the demonstration were keen to raise.

"Over a year ago the Government promised compensation to ex-miners with serious illnesses as a result of working in the coal industry. The vast majority of them have not received a penny. It is another massive kick in the teeth for these people that Henry McLeish should be paid such an obscene pension at all, never mind while he’s still working," added Jock Penman, SSP Local Organiser for Mid-Scotland & Fife.