John Purvis (politician)

John Purvis
CBE
Purvis in 2004
Member of the European Parliament
for Scotland
In office
10 June 1999 – 4 June 2009
Member of the European Parliament
for Mid Scotland and Fife
In office
7 June 1979 – 14 June 1984
Preceded byOffice Created
Succeeded byAlex Falconer
Personal details
Born(1938-07-06)6 July 1938
St Andrews, Fife, Scotland
Died20 March 2022 (aged 83)
NationalityBritish, Scottish
Political partyConservative
Alma materUniversity of St Andrews
OccupationBanker

John Robert Purvis, CBE (6 July 1938 – 20 March 2022)[1] was a Conservative MEP for Mid Scotland and Fife (1979–1984) and for Scotland from 1999 to 2009[2] was one of Scotland's seven MEPs.[1]

Biography

Purvis was married with three children and ten grandchildren. He had farming and property interests in North East Fife and had extensive knowledge of the international financial services industry, having worked in the sector for several decades and having later contributed his expertise on relevant committees in the European Parliament.

Purvis served as a second lieutenant in the Scots Guards (1956–1958) and graduated MA (Hons) from the University of St Andrews (1962).[2] He worked for First National City Bank in London, New York and Milan (1962–1969) and was Treasurer of merchant bank Noble Grossart Ltd in Edinburgh (1969–1973). He was Managing Director and Chairman of Gilmerton Management Services Ltd St Andrews (1973–1986) and Chairman of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party (1986–1997). He received the CBE in 1990.

In his first term he was appointed to the new Internal Market subcommittee of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee.[3] In this capacity he worked with fellow UK MEP Basil de Ferranti and others to propose harmonised standards across a wide range of goods. Their final proposals would form the basis of the Single European Act in 1985.[3]

During his second term as an MEP, Purvis was elected Vice Chairman of the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee in 2002, and then re-elected to this position during his third term in 2005 and 2007 (2002–2009). He was also a member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy[2] (1999–2009). He also served on EU delegations to the Gulf States and to Middle Eastern countries and served on the EU Committee of Inquiry into the Equitable Life Assurance Society crisis. During his 15 years as an MEP, Purvis produced a number of major reports which helped to shape EU policy – notably on biotechnology (supporting GM foods),[4] telecommunications and financial regulation.[5][6]

In 2001, Purvis spoke out against the legality of actions by Customs and Excise officers who were confiscating alcohol and tobacco bought for personal use from travellers returning from the European Union saying such actions were illegal.[7][8] In 2002, Purvis stated that he supported the building of a new airport in central Scotland as an alternative to upgrading the airports at Edinburgh or Glasgow.[9]

In 2008, it was alleged that Purvis may have breached rules regarding parliamentary expenses and the payment of staff through a company. Purvis said at the time that he sought clarification from the relevant authorities and such clarification was not forthcoming.[10][11] He was cleared of any wrongdoing.[12]

Since standing down in 2009, Purvis continued to serve in Europe as Chairman of Financial Future Forum[13] which provides a means of dialogue between the financial services industries of Europe and the EU's legislators. He was also Chairman of Belgrave Capital Management in London,[14] and was for many years a Director of Kingdom FM Radio Ltd., Fife,[15][16] and Advisor to the Board of Elmwood College in Cupar (2012).

He died following a battle with cancer on 20 March 2022, at the age of 83.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b Staff. "John PURVIS, MEP, European Parliament, History of parliamentary service". European Parliament. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Staff (5 April 2004). "MEP's take the stand in public debate". St. Andrews University News. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b Rodger, Michelle (30 May 2017). "Business not Brexit – John Purvis CBE". Business for Scotland. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Record Europe discussion on GMOs". BBC News. 6 March 2009.
  5. ^ Astleford, Peter; Lark, Susan (2004). "The European Hedge Fund Industry". The Hedge Fund Journal. 2. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  6. ^ "Letter: What's good for the City is good for EU". The Guardian. 14 July 2009.
  7. ^ Rosemary Behan (21 July 2001). "Customs keep up the pressure". The Telegraph.
  8. ^ Rosemary Behan (21 July 2001). "Outrage at Customs bullies". The Telegraph.
  9. ^ "Airport plan from Euro MP". BBC News. 26 September 2002.
  10. ^ "MEP may have 'breached rules'". BBC News. 6 June 2008.
  11. ^ Brian Brady; Jane Merrick (8 June 2008). "Spelman nanny row pushes sleaze back on to Tory agenda". The Independent. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022.
  12. ^ Staff (7 July 2008). "MEP cleared over expenses claims". BBC News. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  13. ^ Nielsen, Nikolaj (20 June 2011). "The European Parliament's Revolving Door | Spectrezine". Spectrezine. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  14. ^ Brooksbank, Daniel (May 2003). "Compromise of a compromise". IPE Magazine. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  15. ^ Clarke, Debbie (25 March 2019). "Fife's first radio station - how it all began". Fife Today. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  16. ^ Alex, Michael (5 October 2019). "Kingdom FM marks 21 years of 'celebrating Fife'". The Courier, Fife. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  17. ^ Bowie, Justin (21 March 2022). "'Truly great European': Tributes as former Fife Tory MEP John Purvis dies from cancer". The Courier. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
European Parliament
New district Member of the European Parliament for Mid Scotland & Fife
1979 – 1984 		Succeeded by