Scottish MS Society members vote to remain part of UK charity

Governance | Gareth Jones | 17 Nov 2009

Scottish members of the MS Society have voted firmly in favour of remaining a part of the national charity, on the understanding that charity’s currently-suspended Scottish council is reconstituted.

The vote took place at a special general meeting on Saturday, which was called by ten Scottish branches of the charity following a long-running dispute with the national organisation.

A total of 836 Scottish members voted, with 81 per cent in favour of a united MS Society and just 17 per cent in favour of Scottish independence.

Some 84 per cent said they wanted to see powers delegated to a reconstituted Scottish council.

MS Society Scotland director, David McNiven (pictured), said: “This is a clear message that members in Scotland want to put the past behind them and move on together as a unified MS Society.

“As a united body we can provide more expertise and funding for research, education, services and information, avoiding duplication and waste of resources, working effectively in the best interests of people living with MS in Scotland.”

Long-running dispute

News of a dispute between trustees of the national charity and the Scottish council first emerged in April this year, when novelist JK Rowling stepped down from her position as patron in protest.

It was revealed that the national board had suspended the Scottish Council’s powers in September 2008 following a failed mediation process, as it felt it had refused to address concerns over staffing, governance and operational issues.

At an AGM in September this year, the UK Society agreed to draw up a new memorandum and articles of association, and to create newly-defined authorities, responsibilities and powers for councils in all the nations.

The constitution of the new Scottish Council has yet to be decided, but a spokesman for the MS Society said: “Fundamentally it will not differ from the last council.

“What will be clearer is the accountability to the board, and the roles, duties and responsibilities of individual members of the council.”

Directory: MS Society

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