David McLetchie CBE (6 August 1952 – 12 August 2013) was a Scottish politician, a Scottish Conservative and Unionist Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Lothianelectoral region. He was formerly the leader of the Scottish Conservatives between 1999 and 2005, and MSP for the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency (2003-2011).

Born in Edinburgh, McLetchie became leader of the Scottish Conservatives upon the creation of the Scottish Parliament, in 1999, and was the MSP for the Lothians electoral region (1999-2003). In 2003, he was elected as the constituency MSP for the Edinburgh Pentlands constituency. He was forced to resign as Scottish Conservative leader following a scandal over his expense claims in 2005.

He was re-elected in Edinburgh Pentlands in 2007, but lost his seat to the Scottish Nationalists in 2011. Although not re-elected in Pentlands, he was returned to Parliament as a 'list' MSP for the Lothian region.

Education and career

He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Law in 1974, having attended Leith Academy and George Heriot's School. McLetchie trained as a solicitorwith Shepherd and Wedderburn, before joining Tods Murray where he was assumed apartner. He specialised in tax, trusts, and estate planning.

In 1979 he contested the Edinburgh Central seat for the Scottish Conservatives, but lost to Labour's Robin Cook.

Member of the Scottish Parliament

Leader of the Scottish Conservatives

Since 1999, he was a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was also Leader of the Scottish Conservative Party from 1999 until 2005. Initially he was elected as anadditional member for the Lothians, but at the 2003 election he won the first past the post seat of Edinburgh Pentlands.

Resignation

David McLetchie announced his resignation as Scottish Conservative Party leader on 31 October 2005, after it was revealed he had spent £11,500 of taxpayers' money on taxi fares, more than any other MSP. The problem was not so much the large bill, but the fact that he had used taxis for Conservative party business (as opposed toconstituency business).

His successor as leader was Annabel Goldie.

Backbencher

Following his resignation McLetchie had a short spell as a backbencher in the Parliament though he remained a prominent figure, his major successes from this period include his campaigns on free personal care and road pricing.

Post 2007

In May 2007 McLetchie was returned as MSP for his Edinburgh Pentlands constituency with an increased share of the vote and his majority doubled. On his return he was made Conservative Chief Whip and business manager, a role which was set to be more important than ever before given the minority SNP administration. In the Scottish General Election which took place on the 5th of May 2011, he lost the constituency of Edinburgh Pentlands to Gordon MacDonald of the SNP. However he was re-elected, despite this loss, as a list MSP for the Lothian region.

McLetchie was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 Birthday Honours.