An former MSP has been accused of 'milking the system' by taking a lucrative TV job while claiming a pension on health grounds.
In The Courier yesterday, political reporter, David Clegg, writes: “Controversy-prone Keith Raffan, who was a list member for Mid Scotland and Fife, has been presenting ITV Wales politics show, Sharp End, while receiving more than £1200 a month of taxpayers' money.”
The paper adds: “Mr Raffan, who stood as a Lib Dem, quit Holyrood citing health reasons in January 2005 just days after The Courier had revealed details of his £102,826 expense claims for the previous year.”
The Courier adds that, under the Scottish Parliament rules of the time, Raffan is entitled to a £15,000-a-year pension until the day he dies.
Changes voted through by MSPs last year mean members who retire through ill health are no longer eligible for the money if they take another job, but this does not affect prior cases – such as Raffan's.
The paper quotes SNP MSP, Tricia Marwick, saying: “It is absolutely outrageous behaviour. This was done under the old rules and could not happen now, but that is little consolation when you see someone milking the pension fund in this way.”
The article finishes by saying attempts to contact Mr Raffan were unsuccessful.
