Bill Aitken (politician)

Bill Aitken (born 15 April 1947) is a Scottish Conservative politician. He was Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative Spokesperson for Justice, and Convener of the Justice Committee from 2007 to 2011.

Bill Aitken
Convener of the Justice Committee
In office
14 May 2007 – 21 February 2011
Preceded byPauline McNeill
Succeeded byJohn Lamont
Member of the Scottish Parliament
for Glasgow
(1 of 7 Regional MSPs)
In office
6 May 1999 – 22 March 2011
Personal details
Born (1947-04-15) 15 April 1947
Glasgow, Scotland
Political partyScottish Conservative Party
RelationsSingle
ResidenceGlasgow
Professioninsurance, legislator

Background, education and career

Aitken was born in Glasgow and educated at Allan Glen's School in the city. He worked in the Financial Services/Insurance Industry for 34 years (1965–1999). He is a supporter of Partick Thistle Football Club. His interests include sports, reading and foreign travel.

Following involvement in youth politics he was elected a Glasgow City Councillor in 1976 subsequently becoming the Convener of the Licensing Committee and Vice Convener of the Personnel Committee. He served as Leader of the Opposition for two terms prior to becoming MSP for Glasgow in 1999. He was also a District Court Judge (1985–2000), and is also a Justice of the Peace and a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the City of Glasgow (1993–present).

Following his election to the Scottish Parliament, he became Conservative Party Spokesman on Housing and Justice prior to becoming Chief Whip in 2003. He then became Scottish Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Justice and also the Convener of the Parliament’s Justice Committee.[1] He was a trustee of the Scottish Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund.

On 19 May 2010, it was announced that he would step down at the next Holyrood election, to be held on 5 May 2011.[2]

In February 2011 he caused controversy when he suggested that a woman who was recently gang-raped in Glasgow may have been a prostitute, as the victim claimed that she was dragged from one side of the city centre to another, a location known for prostitution.[3][4] On 21 February 2011 he resigned as Convenor of the Scottish Parliament justice committee in response to this controversy.[5]

References
  1. "Veteran Tory MSP Bill Aitken to stand down at Holyrood elections". Daily Record. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Tory MSP Bill Aitken to stand down at next Holyrood election". The Scotsman. 19 May 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. Holehouse, Matthew (13 February 2011). "Fury as Tory MSP asks: was rape victim a prostitute?". Sunday Herald. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012.
  4. Shackle, Samira (16 February 2011). "Alex Salmond lambasts Scottish MSP over rape comments". New Statesman. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. "'Rape remark' MSP Bill Aitken resigns from committee". BBC News Online. 21 February 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
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