INVERCLYDE’S MSP says an inquiry into the collapse of Greenock law firm McClure’s must be put on the back burner until those affected have been given support to resolve problems arising from its failure.
The SNP's Stuart McMillan led a debate at the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, highlighting the plight of both his own constituents and others across the UK as a result of the company going into administration in 2021, leaving thousands of clients in limbo.
During the debate, Mr McMillan insisted that while he believes a probe is needed, the current priority should be on helping clients who have encountered issues with trusts, power of attorney and other legal matters.
He said: “The fact that not every trust will have been reviewed indicates to me that any inquiry in the short term would be premature.
“It would also deviate time from solicitors who are dealing with many of the McClure’s cases that otherwise would be spent on helping people now.
“We do need an inquiry to be held in the future to drill down what happened at McClure’s leading up to the administration - not a fishing expedition that looks at everything and anything, but a focused inquiry.”
Mr McMillan’s calls were supported by several MSPs during the debate.
West Scotland MSP Russell Findlay said: “It’s right that parliament is willing to get its teeth in to such a monumental scandal as McClure’s.
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“I agree wholeheartedly with Mr McMillan and think that first and foremost that the victims should receive swift redress and then some form of inquiry may be required.”
Marie McNair, MSP for Clydebank and Milngavie, also backed the proposal – as well as calls for a Scottish Government information campaign to highlight the issue to former clients who may still be unaware.
But Highlands and Islands MSP Rhoda Grant disagreed with Mr McMillan’s suggestion that the government should hold off on setting up an inquiry, stating that people affected in her own constituency are not currently receiving enough support.
She said: “We need to make sure people are warned.
“We need to ensure that every victim is compensated and no one is turned away.”
In response to the points raised during the Holyrood debate, the minister for victims and community safety Siobhan Brown said she would not support an inquiry ‘at this stage’.
The minister also noted that an information campaign would be a matter for the Law Society of Scotland.
Ms Brown added: “The priority at the moment is to find a solution for those who have been adversely affected by this.
“The Scottish Government will continue to monitor the situation alongside the regulatory authorities.”
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