DRS declines invitation to give evidence at probe into bungled election

THE firm that provided the e-counting technology at last year's botched Holyrood election is refusing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into the fiasco.

DRS, which supplied the equipment for scanning and reading the ballot papers, said it has had to "regrettably decline" a request for oral evidence.

The company believes the "quantity of information" it provided to a previous inquiry makes an appearance at Holyrood unnecessary.

The snub comes as the parliament's local government and communities committee looks at the problems surrounding last year's Scottish elections.

Around 140,000 ballots were spoiled last May after voters failed to get to grips with the new single ballot paper.

An official inquiry into the bungled election, led by Canadian Ron Gould, blamed political parties and the Scotland Office for putting their own interests above those of the public.

Holyrood's own probe is focusing on Gould's report into the election chaos and what lessons can be learned from it.

However, DRS, which provided the technology for the e-counting system used last year, is refusing to appear before MSPs.

In a letter to the committee, managing director Tony Lee said his company had to "regrettably decline" the MSP invitation: "DRS believes the independent inquiry by the Electoral Commission was extremely thorough and the final report was comprehensive and balanced. We agree with all aspects of the report and concur with its recommendations. DRS co-operated fully with the inquiry and provided a quantity of the information used.

"Therefore, DRS consider the Electoral Commission's report is the best source of information on the elections."

The Sunday Herald understands the committee will ask DRS to reconsider its refusal to attend, and is also exploring its options on compelling witnesses to give evidence.

It is the second time in less than a week that the local government committee has been snubbed by individuals unwilling to give evidence to its MSPs.

Representatives for US tycoon Donald Trump, who wants to build a golf complex in Aberdeenshire, are refusing to appear before the committee as part of its inquiry into the government's handling of the planning application.

George Sorial, who is representing Trump's interests in Scotland, said: "We declined the invitation because there is nothing new that we have to add to this debate.

"It was something we considered very carefully and, really, there is nothing else we have to add. It is an internal political matter."

Labour MSP and committee chairman Duncan McNeil said: "It is disappointing DRS do not want to come. We will consider all the options available to us, including exploring the legal right to compel them to appear."