Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 18 February 2026 [Draft]
18 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Business Motion
It is a serious question. How can the Lord Advocate come to the Parliament and say that the information that she provided to the First Minister in a memo was information that she was not then allowed to share with reporters who were asking her office for it? That is a clear issue that we need an answer on. The Lord Advocate refused to provide an answer to that question earlier, which is a very good reason for her to give a statement.
We did not even get to the point about the Lord Advocate potentially being concerned about the Scottish National Party Government. I wrote it down: she said that the SNP Government had to be reminded of the legal issues surrounding the case. Those were the Lord Advocate’s words.
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-20826, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a busi...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Douglas Ross to speak to and move amendment S6M-20826.1.17:40
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
I am glad that the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General remain in the chamber for this debate, because it is a request about the Lord Advocate’s time. I h...
Douglas Ross
Con
This is why we need a statement tomorrow.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear one another.
Douglas Ross
Con
It is a serious question. How can the Lord Advocate come to the Parliament and say that the information that she provided to the First Minister in a memo was...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
Will the member give way?
Douglas Ross
Con
I will give way in a moment.She felt so concerned about the issue that she had to draft a memo to the First Minister. She was concerned that John Swinney wou...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear one another.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
Will the member give way?
Douglas Ross
Con
I have said that I will give way in a minute.The Lord Advocate was so concerned that Scotland’s First Minister would speak inappropriately about the case tha...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau.17:45
The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey)
SNP
Douglas Ross’s amendment to the business motion seeks a statement from the Lord Advocate tomorrow on communications in relation to Mr Murrell’s case. However...
Douglas Ross
Con
But we did not get answers.
Graeme Dey
SNP
If Mr Ross would show a bit of courtesy and listen, that would be useful.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear the minister.
Graeme Dey
SNP
We have had more than enough performative nonsense from Mr Ross.The Lord Advocate answered those questions—
Douglas Ross
Con
She did not.
Graeme Dey
SNP
—and committed to provide further information in writing. Therefore, MSPs have had an opportunity to provide scrutiny of the Lord Advocate in this area. Give...
Douglas Ross
Con
We got no answers.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Ross, please resist the temptation to contribute from your seat.
Graeme Dey
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer.Members will have the opportunity to explore the issue further at First Minister’s question time tomorrow, if they so wish.Given...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The first question is, that amendment S6M-20826.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, which seeks to amend motion S6M-20826, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf o...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.17:46Meeting suspended.17:48On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
We move to the division on amendment S6M-20826.1, in the name of Douglas Ross. Members should cast their votes now.
ForBaillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab)Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab)Briggs, Miles (L...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The result of the division on amendment S6M-20826.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, is: For 51, Against 71, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The next question is, that motion S6M-20826, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, be agreed to...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
There will be a division.
ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an I...