Alastair Blackwood, a Scottish solicitor previously convicted of money laundering, has been struck off the roll of solicitors following his involvement in a £1.7 million property fraud scheme linked to convicted fraudster Edwin McLaren. The decision was made by the Scottish Solicitors Discipline Tribunal (SSDT) after a hearing that examined Blackwood’s professional conduct in a case separate from his 2023 money laundering conviction.

McLaren, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2017 following a 20-month trial—the longest criminal trial in Scottish history—exploited vulnerable homeowners by convincing them to sell their properties under the promise of debt clearance. He then orchestrated fraudulent mortgage applications to acquire these homes at discounted prices, leaving victims homeless and financially disadvantaged. McLaren’s wife, Lorraine, received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for her role in the scam.

The SSDT found that Blackwood had acted dishonestly by generating fees from these fraudulent transactions and by signing legal documents as a witness to signatures he did not actually witness. The tribunal criticized his failure to prioritize clients’ interests and described his conduct as “reprehensible,” noting a significant lack of remorse and insight on his part. According to the tribunal’s 79-page judgment, Blackwood appeared largely indifferent to the impact of his actions on former clients, the public, and the legal profession, instead focusing on how the proceedings affected him personally.

“The only option was to strike the Respondent from the roll of solicitors,” the tribunal concluded, emphasizing that maintaining public trust in the legal profession requires decisive action against those who breach ethical standards.

Blackwood, aged 71 and currently incarcerated at Castle Huntly prison, did not attend his disciplinary hearing but submitted written statements referencing the toll the process had taken on his mental health and personal circumstances. He described himself as bankrupt and highlighted adverse effects on his family, particularly his wife.

Previously, Blackwood was sentenced to seven years in prison for his part in a sophisticated £1.5 million money laundering operation. This scheme involved multiple fraudulent transactions, including misappropriation of a £79,340 cheque, illicit funds from a bogus London property sale totaling £240,000, and £985,000 withdrawn illicitly from a bank. Two other lawyers, Iain Robertson and David Lyons, received eight and seven-year sentences, respectively, while Mohammed Aziz was sentenced to seven years and Robert Ferguson to 16 months for related offenses under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In September 2025, the Crown Office’s attempt to seize assets exceeding £1 million linked to Blackwood was unsuccessful, with the court ordering him to pay only £1 due to a lack of recoverable assets.

The Law Society of Scotland reaffirmed its commitment to upholding professional standards, stating that it will take appropriate action whenever its members fail to meet ethical obligations.