Sir Robert McAlpine ends legal dispute with Scottish parliament, after seeking £4.31m in damages over allegations of “breaches of procurement requirements in the tendering process”.

Sir Robert McAlpine has settled a legal dispute with the Scottish parliament over alleged tendering breaches for the construction of Holyrood.

McAlpine had been seeking £4.31m in damages over allegations of “breaches of procurement requirements in the tendering process” for the building’s construction. However, after discussions held in the run-up to Christmas, no payment will now be made to McAlpine.

Both sides in the dispute will meet their own costs, with the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body facing a bill of £150,000. Neither side admitted liability.

The two parties reached the settlement of the year-long case in face-to-face discussions at the Parliament between Holyrood’s presiding officer George Reid and McAlpine director David Boyle.

Reid said: “Achieving a settlement of this case was clearly in the public interest given the potential costs. I am therefore delighted that we have been able to reach this agreement with McAlpine.

“I now look forward to both parties being able to concentrate fully on their core business once again - McAlpine on serving its customers through its construction business and the parliament on serving the interests of the Scottish people.”