Dave Thompson MSP

Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson has been invited to draw upon his expertise in protecting the interests of the public to deliver the closing speech for this week’s annual Scottish conference of trading standards officers in Inverness.

Mr Thompson, who served as Highland Council’s director of Trading Standards before entering parliament in 2007, will address delegates at the Trading Standards Institute’s annual conference at the end of their gathering in Eden Court, Inverness, on Friday.

He will recall his experience as director of trading standards at Highland Council and his time as chairman of the Scottish Society of Directors of Trading Standards when he sums up issues raised at the conference, which runs on Thursday and Friday.

"Trading Standards is a very flexible service which has changed over the years to reflect the needs of businesses and consumers in changing economic times," the SNP politician said.

“It is important that Trading Standards Officers continues to adapt and that it has the tools to do the job. I will do all I can to help with this and look forward to working closely with the Trading Standards Institute in order to protect both consumers and honest traders."

Notes:

The conference at Eden Court will run from Thursday to Friday and will be attended by about 70 trading standards officers from all over Scotland.

In addition there will be a delegation from the department that carries out a similar role in Lithuania.