The Gift

The Leader of the Labour party in the Scottish Paliament 'has been reported to the procurator fiscal for failing to register her leadership campaign donations' (Sunday Herald).

She now faces a police investigation and possible charges if the fiscal concludes the offence warrants a criminal sanction.

Dr Jim Dyer, the Standards Commissioner, had been investigating Alexander's compliance with the Scottish parliament's rules on registering gifts. The Standards Commissioner had notified Alexander that any donations she received over £520 should have been registered as gifts; he has concluded there was evidence the Labour leader broke the rules on declaring gifts. Alexander and the Parliament's Standards Committee have been notified by Dr Dyer of his actions.

The Memorandum of Agreement between the Standards Commissioner and the Crown Office states:

"..if the commissioner is satisfied, in relation to any complaint that the member has committed the conduct complained about, and the conduct would, if proved, constitute a criminal offence, the commissioner shall: a) suspend investigation and consideration of the complaint; b) submit a report to the procurator fiscal and c) notify the committee".

The Labour parliamentary leader is also being investigated by the Electoral Commission for accepting 'an illegal £950 donation from Jersey tycoon Paul Green.'