Cash bias row: sports agency ‘confident’ no rules broken

SCOTLAND’s national sports agency has said it is “completely confident” in the way its officials declare possible conflicts of interest amid suggestions its chairwoman may have flouted rules when helping approve millions of pounds of public funding to sports she has links with.

Questions have been raised over whether Louise Martin adhered to SportScotland’s code of conduct after chairing meetings which allocated money to gymnastics and swimming.

In the past three years, funding for gymnastics has more than doubled from £361,000 to £821,000, while swimming has enjoyed a £400,000 boost.

Ms Martin is a former head of the Scottish Gymnastics Association and a one-time international swimmer for her country.

The row over Ms Martin is the latest accusation of bias levelled at the agency in recent weeks, after Ronnie Conway, a lawyer and former badminton international, claimed sports with close connections to the quango’s officials received more than their fair share of funding.

In her register of interests, Ms Martin declares that she is an honorary member of the Scottish Gymnastics Association, and notes that her daughter is a club coach at Stirling ASC, a swimming club.

In its members’ code, agency officials advise personnel when it may be wise to declare an interest during key decisions such as funding meetings, and consider whether “anyone else” would think they may be unduly influenced.

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Murdo Fraser said: “Where public funds are involved, it is essential that the public have absolute confidence in the way money is awarded. SportScotland have to ensure their affairs are conducted in a proper matter, and it should be dealt with initially as an internal matter.”

However, SportScotland said its register of interests was considered at the outset of every meeting, with members asked to declare possible conflicts.

It added it was “completely confident” the process was being followed.

A spokesman said: “Louise Martin has registered an interest in swimming and gymnastics. All board members are required to update, as appropriate, their register of interests on a quarterly basis. The code leaves it to the individual to decide whether the ‘public perception’ test is applicable in any specific situation.

“We have no reason to conclude that the test has not been applied appropriately.

“To suggest board members can set or alter payment to sports governing bodies misunderstands the process. SportScotland partnership and performance managers provide recommendation to the executive team. The board’s role is to ensure the investment is consistent with the principles of investment – they do not alter the level of funding.”