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Every contribution to the Official Report — chamber and committee — searchable in one place. Pulled from data.parliament.scot, indexed for full-text search, linked through to every MSP.

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Official Report

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Showing 60 of 2,095,827 contributions. Latest 30 days: 3,357. Coverage: 12 May 1999 — 10 Jun 2026.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

That concludes decision time.18:01Members’ business will be published tomorrow, 11 June 2026, as soon as the text is available.The rest of this Official Report will be published progressively as soon as the text is available.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, is: For 71, Against 50, Abstentions 0.Motion, as amended, agreed to,That the Parliament believes there is a need to restore publi...

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Ahmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)Barratt, ...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Your vote has been recorded.

Joe Long (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab) Lab Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I was unable to vote. I would have voted no.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Your vote has been recorded.

The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Jenny Gilruth) SNP Chamber

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app would not connect. I would have voted yes.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.The vote is closed.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The final question is, that motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, is: For 53, Against 70, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAhmed, Irshad (Edinburgh and Lothians East) (Lab)Baillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)Bannerman, Max (Highlands and Islands) (Reform)Baxter, Andrew (Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch) (LD)Beresford, Senga (South Scotland) (Reform)Bibby, Neil...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.3, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, is: For 70, Against 53, Abstentions 0.Amendment agreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)Beattie, Colin (Midlothi...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The next question is, that amendment S7M-00294.2, in the name of Ross Greer, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar, on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

The result of the division on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, is: For 55, Against 68, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

Speaker unknown Chamber

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Anderson, Heather (Dundee City West) (SNP)Arthur, Tom (Renfrewshire West and Levern Valley) (SNP)Barratt, David (Cowdenbeath) (SNP)Beattie, Colin (Midlothi...

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

We move to the vote on amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, which seeks to amend motion S7M-00294, in the name of Anas Sarwar. Members should cast their votes now.

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

There will be a division.There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.17:53Meeting suspended.17:55On resuming—

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

There are four questions to be put as a result of today’s business.I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Jamie Hepburn is agreed to, the amendment in the name of Ross Greer will fall.The first question is, that amendment S7M-00294.1, in the name of Jamie Hepbu...

Speaker unknown Chamber

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Business Motion

The next item of business is consideration of business motion S7M-00301, in the name of Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme.Motion moved,That the Parliament agrees—(a) the following programme of business—Tuesday 16 June 20262....

Speaker unknown Chamber

Business Motion

The Presiding Officer NPA Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That concludes the debate on an inquiry to restore public trust in Scottish politics.

Jackie Baillie Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The minister misunderstands and is clearly not listening. The people of Scotland are interested in those wider questions, but that is not what I am suggesting the inquiry should do. I have been very clear on that point.Let me go back to what Robin McAlpine had to say about dem...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I find it interesting that, although Ms Baillie said that it is not for others to take an interest in the SNP’s internal affairs, she is now talking extensively about the appointment of a KC and the thin nature of our internal governance review. It seems that she is taking an ...

Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton) (Lab) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The key and absolute qualification for any First Minister of Scotland is that“that individual must be able to command the trust of the Parliament and the public.”—Official Report, 28 November 2001; c 4118.Those are not my words but those of John Swinney and, on that point, we ...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

No, I do not, so let us move on.The point that I was going to make was one that I made earlier: it is important that, as an institution, we focus on matters that are of primary interest and of paramount importance to the people of Scotland. Instead of raising issues like this,...

Russell Findlay Con Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I remember how sleazy, arrogant and entitled Labour became when it dominated Scottish politics. Does the minister see that at all in his party?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I will give way to Mr Findlay.

Russell Findlay Con Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the member give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

: —that the SNP has won five elections in a row. It has earned the trust of the people for five elections in a row. It is just a matter of fact—there is no arrogance about it; it is just a reality.I think that it is important that we—

The Presiding Officer (Kenneth Gibson) NPA Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Please speak through the chair.

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

It was the mindset that Murrell had.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

It is not a mindset but a matter of fact—

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That is your mindset.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

There are two things there. First, the public can be confident that the crime that has been perpetrated has been fully investigated and prosecuted and there is now a plea. I do not think that any of us is suggesting that there is a lack of confidence in that process—I certainl...

Willie Rennie LD Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That is a very generous offer, but I will have to decline.The minister is talking about the SNP investigating itself. How does that improve the confidence of the public in the Government party in this country?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I do not think that Mr Rennie is one of those SNP members, but maybe he wants to apply to join—we might let him come on board.I will give way one more time, to Mr Rennie.

Willie Rennie LD Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the minister give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That brings me to a point that I was going to make later, because it picks up on a point that Willie Rennie made—I see that Mr Rennie is now paying attention to me. He made the point that my party does not want to do anything in response to some of the issues that have arisen ...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The minister does not want to accept questions coming from other parts of the chamber. Does he accept that questions are also coming from people who served his party, both in the NEC and in Parliaments? Those people are saying that blocks and obstructions were put in the way o...

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I will give way one more time.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the minister give way?

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

That was a wonderful pre-prepared line delivered tremendously well, Ms Lindsay. We look forward to much more of that.The past few weeks have been uncomfortable, difficult and very distressing for many of us—I will not pretend otherwise. No one would believe me if I did. Howeve...

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The only thing that I would say in response to that is that the SNP lecturing Reform on sleaze is like Lord Mandelson selling ethics lessons. No one is buying it.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I say to Amanda Lindsay that I might take more seriously the notion that my party operated like a syndicate if her party was not one that had been formed as a private limited company that is owned by one individual. Let us just remember where we are all starting from. Interrup...

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Yet, when it comes to holding one of its own to account for embezzling party funds, the urgency mysteriously disappears.Meanwhile, Scottish Labour, which called this debate, might want to reflect on its party’s sleazy history. After all, its hero, Lord Mandelson, was twice for...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

The member must be heard.

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Instead of full transparency, we have had silence, deflection and obstruction. The First Minister likes to lecture others about integrity, yet he still refuses to put country before party. If he truly believes in restoring public trust, he must stop hiding behind lawyers and f...

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Katy Clark) Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

No, no, minister. The member does not have to take interventions.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Amanda Lindsay Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Forgive me, but I wish to make progress.

Jamie Hepburn SNP Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Will the member give way?

Amanda Lindsay (Central Scot and Lothians West) (Reform) Reform Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I support this debate and back calls for a full parliamentary inquiry into the shocking embezzlement of party funds by Peter Murrell.The Scottish people deserve the truth. For years, the SNP has presented itself as a slick, professional political machine. In reality, it has op...

Patrick Harvie Green Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I think that Anas Sarwar would be horrified if a former or a current leader of a political party told its members how they should vote on a committee decision. Interruption. That is for committees to decide, and I am not going to instruct any—Interruption. Look at him laughing...

Anas Sarwar Lab Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

Mr Harvie says that committees in this Parliament could investigate certain prosecutions. To clarify, if a motion came to the justice committee, would his party support such an investigation by the justice committee?

Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green) Green Chamber

Public Trust in Scottish Politics

I beg your pardon, Presiding Officer. I was just discovering how much some speeches improve when I remove my hearing aids.Sadly, today, we have very much seen the debate that I expected. There has been some opportunistic partisanship dressed up as principled concern, and there...

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Committee

Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee 05 March 2026 [Draft]

05 Mar 2026 · S6 · Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee

Item of business

Subordinate Legislation

Representation of the People Act 1983 Remedial (Scotland) Order 2025(SSI 2025/353)

Whitfield, Martin Lab South Scotland Watch on SPTV

There will be a division.

In the same item of business

The Convener Lab

Our next agenda item is consideration of the Representation of the People Act 1983 Remedial (Scotland) Order 2025, which is subject to the affirmative proced...

The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey) SNP

Good morning. The order that is before us today responds to a European convention on human rights compliance issue that has been identified in relation to vo...

The Convener Lab

I am grateful for your opening remarks, minister. Before I turn to questions and comments from committee members, I want to clarify something.We are talking ...

Graeme Dey SNP

The Convener Lab

Therefore, subject to the SSI passing, there are no surprises for the coming election.

Graeme Dey SNP

Absolutely. That was always the understanding, subject to the Parliament agreeing to the instrument. The order coming into effect in November last year has a...

Sue Webber (Lothian) (Con) Con

I have a question, minister. In England and Wales, they have found a compromise: they do not let prisoners vote unless they are released on a temporary licen...

Graeme Dey SNP

With prisoner voting?

Sue Webber Con

Yes. This instrument is also about prisoner voting—these people are still detained.

Graeme Dey SNP

The decision was reached in 2022 and predates my time. The Parliament voted for that position. In so doing, this anomaly arose, which we are now trying to ad...

Sue Webber Con

I have a statement that I want to make later. Is that okay, convener?

The Convener Lab

Absolutely. That is fine.I have one further question with regard to the evidence received from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which set out a number of ...

Graeme Dey SNP

I will bring in Iain Hockenhull with the detail, but my understanding is that work has been done. The trigger for progressing all of the activity will be the...

Iain Hockenhull (Scottish Government)

The new registration form, which is specifically designed around the group of people affected by the order, has been discussed with and prepared by the Elect...

The Convener Lab

“False hope” might be an interesting phrase. Do we know how many individuals this order will affect?

Graeme Dey SNP

We believe it to be in the region of 20 people. This is a very complex area, which is why I was reluctant to go for a permanent solution at this stage. As we...

The Convener Lab

That is helpful.Further, not that the next Parliament or Scottish Government would ignore it, but the sunset clause means that it will be in people’s diaries...

Graeme Dey SNP

I will make a useful point here, for clarity. As part of considering the options that I had, I had informal discussions with the business managers of the oth...

The Convener Lab

That was very helpful. Thank you.As members have no more questions, we will move to agenda item 3, which is the formal debate on motion S6M-20958. Members wi...

The Convener Lab

Does any member wish to speak?

Sue Webber Con

I do, convener.I will not be supporting this SSI today, because of my party’s long-standing opposition to allowing prisoners to vote, regardless of the circu...

The Convener Lab

If no other members wish to contribute, I invite the minister to respond.

Graeme Dey SNP

I will be very brief, convener. I understand Ms Webber’s position on this issue, but what we are dealing with is an anomaly in a law passed by this Parliamen...

The Convener Lab

I am grateful. The question is, that motion S6M-20958 be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.

The Convener Lab

There will be a division.

ForMaguire, Ruth (Cunninghame South) (SNP)Roddick, Emma (Highlands and Islands) (SNP)Whitfield, Martin (South Scotland) (Lab)AgainstWebber, Sue (Lothian) (Co...

The Convener Lab

The result of the division is: For 3, Against 2, Abstentions 0.Motion agreed to.That the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee recommends t...

The Convener Lab

I now suspend the meeting for a changeover of guests.09:13Meeting suspended.09:15On resuming—