Another Scottish National Party MP comes under fire for his constituency office signs
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Questions are being asked of a Scottish National Party MP who has adorned the windows of his new constituency office with party livery.
Paul Monaghan, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has come under criticism for putting up massive signs on the windows of his Brora base.
Roger Saxon, Labour Party constituency chairman and councillor for Thurso, claimed the signage could be off-putting for constituents who need support from their MP but who did not vote for the party.
But the MP insisted the office is a parliamentary resource and it is not used for political activities or campaigning.
Comments have been left on the MP’s Twitter page after he posted a message saying that he was "delighted" with the new signs.
The signs show an almost life-sized image of the MP and are emblazed with SNP party messages, such as "SNP Stronger for Scotland" and "SNP - Time for Change in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross".
One follower immediately posed the question: "Party material in the windows of your consistency office? Is that not against the rules?"
Another post said: "Taxpayers pay for constituency offices to represent ALL constituents."
But some were overjoyed at the window spread.
"Fantastic prominence given to Westminster portcullis. Proud symbol of UK seat of government. Well done!," said another follower.
Cllr Saxon said: "If he’s got party political stuff in his window I do not feel he’s my MP to be quite honest. I was quite happy to phone John Thurso the former Lib Dem MP with issues but he didn’t have Lib Dem livery all over the place. MPs are supposed to be representing the whole community not just those who voted for their particular party."
Dr Monaghan said the criticism was "disappointing".
"I am very clear that the office is a parliamentary resource and it is not used for political activities or campaigning. I find it very disappointing to learn that Labour councillors have attempted to make mischief in respect of the constituency office by claiming it is used inappropriately. I think that reflects poorly on them," he said.
"The office is very busy but I have noticed, since putting up the external signage, a significant increase in the number of people calling into the office to ask for help and assistance with a range of issues.
"It is a genuine pleasure and privilege to have my constituency office in Brora. This is the first constituency office established by a Member of Parliament in this constituency and has been warmly welcomed by the community where it brings real benefit."
Annabelle Rose, external relations manager for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA), did not comment on the signs.
But she said, in general terms, it would be against the rules to be using a constituency office, which is tax-payer funded, for activities or campaigning at the behest of the political party "so displaying party political/campaign material could be viewed in this way".The sign spat comes in the same week that Ross, Skye and Lochaber SNP MP Ian Blackford had to tone down a bright yellow sign that hangs over his new constituency office on Dingwall High Street after complaints it was spoiling the street-scape.Skye, Ross and Lochaber SNP MP Ian Blackford dismantled two large side panels after a constituent complained he was undoing "all the good work to replace the High Street’s unsightly shop fronts in one fell swoop with the appalling yellow plastic frontage".Mr Blackford said he had only ever intended to create a warm and inviting presence on the High Street but if people had legitimate concerns he was always happy to address them.
