A north-east MSP mixed up in a lobbying controversy is expected to learn his fate next week.
Peter Chapman quit the Tory frontbench in May after it emerged he had tried to sway Aberdeenshire councillors to back the ANM Group’s Thainstone expansion.
It came after a voicemail was leaked in which he was heard attempting to persuade local members.
The former rural affairs minister, who owns 50,000 shares in the co-operative, apologised and referred himself to a standards watchdog over what he described as an “honest mistake”.
It then emerged the MSP had also approached council planning officers via one of his staffers to discuss the plans and a further complaint was made to the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life.
The commissioner’s investigation was subsequently launched and has now been concluded.
The results, which have not yet been made public, will be discussed by the parliament’s standards, procedures and public appointments committee.
The committee can then decide to take further action against Mr Chapman if deemed necessary.
A spokesman for the SNP said: “Peter Chapman was caught out for putting his business interests ahead of those of his constituents – and he was right to quite before he was sacked in disgrace.
“It’s only right that the Commissioner for Standards has had the opportunity to investigate whether Mr Chapman’s behaviour breached strict parliamentary rules.
“But there is a wider issue here. Tory MSPs think they can abuse the privileged position they hold for their own ends. It’s not on.”
ANM Group had been awarded planning permission in principle for the business park expansion but councillors had initially deferred final approval of some of the planning conditions.
The Tories said they were unable to comment until the committee has discussed the commissioner’s findings.
However Mr Chapman previously insisted his investment in ANM was not linked to its performance.
He said: “I’ve been a farmer for 40 years and like most farmers in the north-east I have shares in the mart, that’s the mistake I made and that’s why I decided that I had not upheld the high standards of transparency expected of someone in public life and had to step down.”
It is understood the committee will discuss the findings next week.
“What you can’t do is declare that you have made your mind up before a decision is taken.”
The row began when a voicemail was leaked where the MSP could be heard appealing to a councillor on the Garioch area committee.
After it emerged he had not been completely transparent with councillors, he tendered his resignation from his senior position, which was accepted by party leader Ruth Davidson.
Speaking exclusively to the P&J at the time of his resignation, Mr Chapman admitted he had been “naive” but denied he had been deliberately deceptive.
He said: “I was responding to a request for help from an important north-east business which is behind a development which will be very important for the well-being of the farming community and the well-being of the north-east.
“I have been an Aberdeenshire councillor and I listened to lots of people who phoned me, I think it’s important that you hear all sides of the opinion.
“What you can’t do is declare that you have made your mind up before a decision is taken.”
But after his resignation from the front bench, the row was reignited after emails were leaked which showed Mr Chapman had also approached council officers.
Mr Chapman’s office manager wrote to the council: “I am emailing on behalf of Peter Chapman MSP.
“I was wondering who Peter would be best to contact to discuss the plans for the Thainstone marts.”
A council staff member responded to the e-mail with contact details for the planning officer overseeing the application and the senior planner for Garioch.
Mr Chapman’s party colleagues claimed the SNP were behind the leaks.
