Committee
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee 29 April 2025
29 Apr 2025 · S6 · Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Item of business
Motion to Remove a Member of the Committee
Thank you, convener. The deputy convener and I have served on this committee together since 2023. There are areas on which we agree and there are areas on which we disagree. She has a right to express her views on a wide range of policies in relation to her constituents, her region and her party, and I recognise that many people view her as an advocate and a passionate voice for them.
However, fundamentally, I believe that, to retain confidence, particularly in terms of the committee’s role on civil justice, she must take the opportunity to clarify the points that I have raised. If she takes the opportunity to do so sufficiently, I believe that we can move forward as a committee. Otherwise, we might have no choice but to refer the matter for the consideration of the whole Parliament, with a recommendation for her removal.
In the same item of business
The Convener (Karen Adam)
SNP
Good morning, and welcome to the 10th meeting in 2025 of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Maggie Chapman and Evelyn Tweed will atten...
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
My motion, under rule 6.3 of standing orders, calls for the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee to recommend that the Parliament removes Mag...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
I want to express my solidarity with trans and non-binary people across Scotland. I have spoken to many of them over the past weeks and months and they consi...
Pam Gosal (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank my colleague Tess White for lodging the motion, which recommends “that the Parliament remove Maggie Chapman MSP from office as a member of the Commi...
Paul O’Kane (West Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate as we consider the motion before us this morning. The motion has been lodged under the standi...
The Convener
SNP
There are a few members who still want to come in. I will bring them in, and then I will ask Ms Chapman if she wishes to come in at that point. Tess White wi...
Paul O’Kane
Lab
Thank you, convener. The deputy convener and I have served on this committee together since 2023. There are areas on which we agree and there are areas on wh...
Marie McNair (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
I will be brief in my remarks. I certainly accept the decision of the Supreme Court. It is correct that we can agree or disagree with what Maggie Chapman has...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
I thank you and the committee, convener, for welcoming me to the committee and giving me the opportunity to speak. As members will be aware, I have supporte...
The Convener
SNP
Maggie Chapman has indicated that she would like to accept the committee’s invitation to speak.
Maggie Chapman
Green
I will just say a couple of words in response to members’ contributions. First, Rachel Hamilton said that I was the CEO of Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, but ...
The Convener
SNP
I invite Tess White to wind up and indicate whether she wishes to press or withdraw her motion.
Tess White
Con
Thank you, convener. May I give Maggie Chapman one final opportunity to show remorse and apologise for the accusations that she made?
The Convener
SNP
Tess White, I ask you to sum up and press or withdraw your motion—
Tess White
Con
I would like to ask Maggie Chapman, one final time before I move to close, whether she is going to apologise.
Maggie Chapman
Green
Convener, do you want me to come in?
The Convener
SNP
Maggie Chapman, are you satisfied that you have said what you needed to say, or do you wish to take up Tess White’s invitation to speak?
Maggie Chapman
Green
I have said what I wish to say.
The Convener
SNP
Okay—thank you. Tess White, please continue.
Tess White
Con
I have heard what members have said, and I thank Paul O’Kane for his words and for actually stating that we do have a solemn duty to respect the rule of law....
The Convener
SNP
The question is, that motion S6M-17314, in the name of Tess White, be agreed to. Are we agreed? Members: No.
The Convener
SNP
There will be a division. For Gosal, Pam (West Scotland) (Con) O’Kane, Paul (West Scotland)(Lab) White, Tess (North East Scotland) (Con) Against Adam, ...
The Convener
SNP
The result of the division is: For 3, Against 4, Abstentions 0. Motion disagreed to.
The Convener
SNP
I suspend the meeting for five minutes to allow us to bring in our witnesses and commence the rest of today’s business. 10:12 Meeting suspended. 10:21 On r...