David McLetchie

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David McLetchie (born 6 August 1952, Edinburgh) is a former Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

He graduated from the University of Edinburgh with a degree in Law in 1974, having attended Leith Academy and George Heriot's School. McLetchie trained as a solicitor with Shepherd + Wedderburn, before joining Tods Murray where he was assumed a partner. He specialised in tax, trusts and estate planning.

In 1979 he contested the Edinburgh Central seat for the Scottish Conservative & Unionist Party, but lost to Robin Cook.

Since 1999, he has been a Member of the Scottish Parliament. He was also Leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party from 1999 until 2005. Initially he was elected as an additional member for the Lothians, but at the 2003 election he won the first past the post seat of Edinburgh Pentlands.

David McLetchie announced his resignation as Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party leader on 31 October 2005, after it was revealed he had spent £11,500 of Scottish taxpayers' money on taxi fares, more than any other MSP. The problem was not so much the large bill, but the fact that he had used taxis for Conservative and Unionist party business (as opposed to constituency business).

He has gone on to become a respected and prominent back bencher in the Parliament, major successes included his campaigns on free personal care and road pricing.

His successor as leader was Annabel Goldie.