Portillo key speaker at Scottish employment law event

Outspoken Tory MP Michael Portillo has been announced as the key speaker at a major Scottish employment law conference. He will talk about his colourful Westminster career at the event, entitled ''Working Nine To Five'' which is being organised by Croner Consulting Scotland in Aberdeen
on Thursday 30 October.

Mr Portillo, MP for Kensington and Chelsea, will draw on his experience as a major player in British politics. He will talk about his time as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Secretary of State for Employment and his subsequent post as Defence Secretary.

The controversial politician is renowned for his strong views on British integration into the European political and monetary union. At the conference, to be held at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre in October, Mr Portillo will give a top line Tory view on employment law
and discuss the legacy left behind by the last Conservative government.

Hundreds of delegates from across the UK are expected to attend the event which will deliver a programme of employment law issues aimed at human resources professionals.

General Secretary of the STUC, Bill Speirs, will also be speaking at the conference. He will argue that workers'' rights should be enshrined in law and suitably enforced. Mr Speirs will also talk about his background as a member of the Employment Appeal Tribunal and a former owner of an
ice-cream business.

Other employment law specialists to speak at the conference include:

* David Burnside Partner with Burnside, Kemp, Fraser, Aberdeen
* Sean A Saluja Partner with Paull and Williamsons, Aberdeen
* Steve Cook Regional Director of UK-wide Croner Consulting.
* Kimbra Green Solicitor with Croner Consulting

The speakers will talk about a range of issues including religious and sexual discrimination in the workplace, redundancy, disciplinary procedures and future legislative changes in employment law.

Says Steve Cook, Regional Director at Croner Consulting Scotland: Some of Scotland''s top professionals in the field of employment law will be speaking at this conference. It promises to be very interesting and
entertaining.

Michael Portillo is a fascinating speaker. As former Tory Secretary of State for Employment he has an excellent pedigree in employment related issues. He was in that post during the years when the Conservative Government tightened up on Trade Unions and his views on recent developments in this field will be interesting. His talk promises to be
very entertaining.

Mr Cook said the law issues at the conference were pertinent to businesses from all sectors and of all sizes. He added: The conference provides an opportunity for HR professionals, personnel officers - in fact anyone with responsibilities for workplace issues - to hear some of
Scotland''s leading employment law professionals discuss significant issues.

Places at the conference cost 225 (plus VAT) per delegate if booked before 1st October, 250 (plus VAT) if booked after this date. Discounts are available for group bookings of two or more.