By Steve Bargeton, political editor

MSPS YESTERDAY voted to scrap the controversial scheme which let some members buy a second home in Edinburgh with taxpayers’ money.

But a suggestion to create a two-tier system of allowances for MSPs caused fury, with only the Labour Party supporting the idea.

The proposal to abolish the £11,400 package for second homes was supported by all parties.

The recommendations were made by Dundee University principal and vice-chancellor Sir Alan Langlands in his review of Holyrood expenses and allowances.

By supporting the two-tier system Labour was effectively saying that, in Tayside and Fife, Labour constituency MSPs Helen Eadie (Dunfermline East) and Marilyn Livingstone (Kirkcaldy) were worth more than their Mid Scotland and Fife regional MSPs Claire Baker, John Park and Richard Simpson and their North East Scotland list MSPs Richard Baker and Marlyn Glen.

In the heated debate on the issue Central Fife SNP MSP Tricia Marwick argued that all MSPs should be awarded the same amount of money.

“It is one of the founding principles of this parliament and in our code of conduct, approved by this Parliament, that all MSPs are equal regardless of how they are elected,” she said.

Mrs Marwick’s amendment stating that, “All members have equal formal and legal status” won the day by 69 votes to 44 with two abstentions.

During the debate Lib Dem MSP Ross Finnie—who, like the rest of his party, had been given a free vote on the issue—claimed some MSPs would become “second class citizens” if the Langlands recommendation went ahead.

“I find this offensive and contrary to the principles that all members are equal,” he said.

“I will not support a proposition that, on the basis of no evidence, classes me as a second class citizen.”

But arguing for the introduction of a two-tier system Labour MSP Tom McCabe said, “The main point of contention is the difference in the staffing allowance accorded to constituency and list members.

“That recommendation has caused considerable concern amongst list members, and indeed others.”

Labour MSP Michael MacMahon called the SNP’s solution to divide equally the amount of money paid to list and constituency MSPs a “political fix” which would lead to regional staff being “pickpocketed.” He said, “Make no mistake, parliament will be damaged if that happens today.”

Independent MSP Margo MacDonald has been a vocal critic of Sir Alan’s recommendation for two-tier staff allowances.

She called for the maximum limit for both types of MSP. “Members of the public do not know—or probably do not care—by which route we are elected. They see us as equal and expect an equity of response from our offices regardless of the issue raised with us,” she said.