Monica Lennon, a Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP), is facing significant pressure to repay a £50,000 severance payment, often referred to as a 'golden goodbye,' following her return to Holyrood just two months after losing her seat in the May elections.
Lennon is set to reclaim her position as a Glasgow list MSP, filling the vacancy left by Anas Sarwar, who resigned to become a UK minister in the House of Lords. Under Holyrood's electoral system, Lennon will replace Sarwar within days. As an MSP who served for ten full years, she was entitled to a resettlement grant, calculated based on her length of service. This payment, amounting to approximately £50,000 after tax, is intended to assist individuals adjusting to life outside of parliament.
Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Craig Hoy criticized the payment, stating that it "stinks" and is not in line with common sense. He argued that taxpayer-funded resettlement payments are designed for those leaving parliament, not for individuals returning shortly thereafter. Hoy urged Lennon to repay the money due to the negative public perception.
Similarly, Glasgow Reform MSP Thomas Kerr commented that resettlement payments were not intended for individuals returning to the same parliament less than three months after leaving. He called on Lennon to "do the honourable thing and repay the full £50,000," adding that it is unjustifiable to keep the payment while resuming her parliamentary role.
Lennon, 45, has stated that she has already used some of the money to cover bills during her period of unemployment since May. However, she indicated that she would donate the remainder to charity, citing that it would not sit well with her to keep it. She also expressed a desire to campaign for changes to the system of exit payments for MSPs and government members, describing the current system as outdated and unfit for purpose.
She is expected to receive her MSP salary again, which is £77,711 annually, once she takes the oath when parliament reconvenes in September. She will be due back pay for a portion of the summer period.