Andrew Fulton (diplomat)

Robert Andrew Fulton (born 6 February 1944) is a laywer, diplomat, businessman and politician who was appointed chairman of the Scottish Conservative Party in February 2008. He held the position until 5 November 2011.

Biography

Born in Glasgow he grew up on the Isle of Bute and attended Rothesay Academy Rothesay. Later he went on to study Law at the Glasgow University, graduating MA, LLB (1962–1967). In 1967 he captained Glasgow University golf team to victory in the British Universities Championship at Royal Troon and won the individual stroke play medal himself. A former champion and Captain of Rothesay Golf Club (1966) he tied for the championship at Saigon Golf Club (1971) and won the club championship at Olgiata Golf Club in Rome (1974).

Fulton was previously a member of HM Diplomatic Service from 1968 to 1999 with postings in Saigon, Rome, East Berlin, Oslo, the UK mission to the UN in New York, and finally Washington DC.

In 2000, while a visiting professor at the Glasgow University School of Law, he stepped down as a member of the Lockerbie Trial Briefing Unit, responsible for briefing media on the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing trial, after speculation about his previous role in British Intelligence.

Amongst a number of non-executive and advisory roles since 1999, Fulton is Honorary President (formerly founding Chairman) of the Scottish North American Business Council. In the security and investigations sector, he has occupied senior roles with Control Risks, Armor Group, Memex Technology, IndigoVision and GPW Ltd. In 2012 he was appointed to the international advisory board of International Street Papers (INSP).

Fulton is currently Chairman of Validate ID Ltd, GloblMed Ltd, Unit-382 Limited and Smart Authentication Limited.

When Fulton was appointed Chairman of the Scottish Conservatives, the media reported that he had previously been Washington head of station for Britain's Secret Intelligence Service.[1]

Following his appointment, the Scottish National Party criticised descriptions of Fulton as a "visiting professor" at the University of Glasgow, despite not being affiliated with the university since 2000.[2]

In September 2011, while he was chairman, the party approved a new constitution.[3]

He was still chairman on 5 October 2011[4] and on 5 November 2011,[5] but David Mundell MP became the acting chairman of the party in November 2011.[6] On 4 November 2011 Ruth Davidson won the party leadership election;[7] she appointed Mundell as interim party chairman the next day.[8]

References
  1. Alan Cochrane and Auslan Cramb (9 February 2008). "Former spy in line for top Scottish Tory job". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013.
  2. "New top Tory in row over CV". The Herald. 2 March 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  3. "Scottish Conservatives approve new constitution". BBC News. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  4. "Scottish Tory chief spin doctor Ramsay Jones suspended". BBC News. 5 October 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  5. Davidson, Lorraine (6 November 2011). "Paul McBride resigns from Tory party". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 23 May 2019. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  6. Gordon, Tom (25 March 2012). "Blow to Davidson as her choice of new chairman drops out". The Herald. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  7. "Ruth Davidson elected new Scottish Conservative leader". BBC News. 4 November 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  8. "David Mundell appointed interim Party Chairman". 5 November 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 27 June 2023. New leader of the Scottish Conservatives, Ruth Davidson, today announced that she has appointed Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell MP, as interim Party Chairman.


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