Personal Information

Richard joined the SNP in 1966, and was elected as a councillor for Motherwell District in a by election in October 1976, and was re-elected at each local government election till 2012 when he had to stand down since being elected as an MSP in 2011.

 Richard was SNP Group Leader in Motherwell District and North Lanarkshire from 1976 till 2011 and was SNP Group Leader in Cosla from 2007 till 2009

Personal Interests:
Health, sport and politics

Professional Membership:
Member of the Institute of Credit Management

Religious Affiliation:
Christian