A charity promoting diversity in the legal profession has launched an investigation after it emerged a far-right activist was organising a high-profile fundraiser.
Edinburgh University student John White has set up the Lawscot Foundation event which will see leading KC Donald Findlay deliver a presentation on Madeleine Smith – a 19th century Glasgow socialite accused of poisoning her lover.
The Lawscot Foundation was set up by the Law Society of Scotland and the event is sponsored by the Faculty of Advocates and top law firm Morton Fraser MacRoberts.
But it has emerged White is a member of Nigel Farage ’s Reform Party and was heavily criticised in the summer when he travelled to France and met with Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally in France.
The Sunday Mail understands neither Findlay, or the other organisations involved were aware of White’s background and an investigation has now been launched.
Lawscot Foundation chair Christine McLintock said: “We will look into the matters raised. Our priorities are to act in the best interests of the students we support and to ensure our charity’s mission of diversity and inclusion continues.
“The Lawscot Foundation exists to support less-advantaged aspiring young lawyers in Scotland, whatever their backgrounds.
“We are entirely reliant on donations of money and in-kind assistance to continue our important work.
“We provide support for an inspiring and diverse group of young people who are studying law.
“Our goals and values are completely at odds with political extremism.”
National Rally – which used to be the National Front – wants to end birthright citizenship for people born in France to foreign parents, making it easier to close mosques and barring dual nationals from some state jobs.
White was pictured with National Rally president, Jordan Bardella on his trip to Paris.
The former Scottish Tory council candidate who has now joined Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, tweeted: “It’s great to see a surge of people wanting to put their own nations first and a rise for the right in Europe.
“Maybe countries outwith can learn some lessons.”
The LawScot Foundation event is due to take place on Friday December 6 in the Laigh Hall, Parliament House, Edinburgh.
A source said: “Nobody was aware of White’s political leanings and it is fair to say the Lawscot Foundation was dismayed to find out about them.
“So far as anyone knew he was a bright aspiring young lawyer who wanted to help others from less well off backgrounds break into the law profession.”
A post of the Faculty of Advocates’ website states: “John White, an LLB Law student at the University of Edinburgh, is organising an ‘Evening with Donald Findlay KC’ in Parliament House.”
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