Hansard

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

14 May 2026

Oaths and Affirmations

I, Daniel Johnson, do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles, his heirs and successors, according to law.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The challenge in summing up a stage 3 debate for my own member’s bill is to prevent that from becoming akin to a gushing Oscar acceptance speech. I will therefore try to marshal my thank yous and to make some points. I begin not just by thanking members for their contributions...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Just to update Willie Rennie’s characterisation, it should be noted in the Official Report that I was a very willing victim. Laughter.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Will the member take an intervention?

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

24 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I feel strongly that it is a basic human response that, when a child is in distress, hurt or injured, we want to help and protect them. That is one of the most fundamental human reactions. For a parent, that becomes amplified. When we see that our child is hurt, a knot forms i...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

To echo the cabinet secretary’s comments, amendments 4, 5 and 7 are technical amendments that enable the Government to introduce secondary legislation to ensure that the bill is workable and implementable. I note the cabinet secretary’s comments about ensuring that they are fo...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Amendment 2 is sensible. In essence, it allows the Government to get on with it and do the consultation ahead of the bill coming into force. It is sensible and practical and I support it.

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

19 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

: As the member in charge of the bill, I will support all three amendments in the group and all the amendments that have been lodged this afternoon.I thank the Government for giving me early sight of its amendments. Indeed, there was some discussion about whether I would lodge...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

If one thing is clear, it is that the whole Parliament is united in—frankly, almost nauseating—tribute to Liam McArthur. However, the tribute is deserved. On a very personal level, and thinking back to our most recent conversation about the bill, I just wish that disagreeing w...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Would the member accept that a number of the safeguards that are present in many parts of Australia are not present in the bill in terms of oversight? I am not sure that it is correct to say that the bill before us would be the most safeguarded legislation.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

Will Patrick Harvie give way?

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill

In a sense, I agree with what Liam McArthur says about section 104 orders coming back to Parliament. However, does he agree that much of the detail about how the bill will work in practice will rest in the guidance and that Parliament is being given a yes or no option when man...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

17 Mar 2026

Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My app did not refresh in time. I would have voted yes.

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

13 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will speak briefly in support of Liz Smith’s amendments in the group. At stage 2, I proposed amendments that would have created a commission—a cross-party body—to oversee the guidance. My reason for doing that is that I believe strongly that much of what we are talking about...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The intent of amendment 292 is to provide direct accountability through oversight of data. My concern is that, across the bill, we would be creating general or corporate responsibilities, but some of those areas need the direct accountability of an office-holder. Unfortunately...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank Mr Balfour for his intervention. That is helpful.In a sense, I think that Parliament has accepted the principle. If we accept that it would not be right to raise the topic of assisted dying with an under-18-year-old, have we not already accepted that it is a sensitive ...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I take the member’s point. I do not mean to use the term “death” in a way that would take away from the points that have been made. I note, however, that the chamber elected not to make suffering a condition for consideration of the issue.I accept that there is a point around ...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am happy to do so after I finish my point.I recognise that none of those conversations is easy—that they are all quite difficult. The amendments are not about prohibiting those conversations; they are simply about the point at which they should be initiated.18:45

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I understand that those things are happening, but we are talking about an option where the express objective is to end life and bring about death.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

This is quite a group of amendments to attempt to sum up, but I do not think we should be surprised by that because we are all aware of the delicate and sensitive nature of the doctor-patient relationship and we know that we are contemplating legislation that will enable somet...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank Jamie Hepburn for his comments. Fundamentally, it is important that we recognise that the medical practitioner will not be the only source of possible information, but that they have a unique and distinct relationship with the patient in this context, and that is what ...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

12 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

At the start of stage 3 proceedings, I set out that the Parliament has a choice about whether it wants an expansive bill that permits certain acts, or a restrictive bill that puts in place safeguards and allows those acts to be taken only by exception. My amendments in this gr...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Bureau Motions

Will the cabinet secretary take an intervention?

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I press amendment 183.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I understand the intention behind the member’s proposal—indeed, in some ways, it is similar to the amendments that I have lodged. However, I worry that the 12-month stipulation is overly burdensome, particularly because, although he is correct to say that the six-month rule is...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Alasdair Allan makes an excellent point about the subtle cues in detecting coercion. Does he agree that the point about communication goes in the other direction, too, regarding the information that a patient might seek when communicating with the doctor before making a very d...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am very grateful to Liam McArthur for giving way and to parliamentary staff for knowing our work better than we do. I point out that amendments 194 and 195 would mean that the statements are recorded in line with other statements, so I had actually done a more comprehensive ...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Will the member give way?

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

That is very much the intention. The fact that it does not say that explicitly in amendment 9 is probably a drafting oversight, which is unfortunate, but that was my intention when I gave my instructions. I, too, would be grateful if that could be clarified in the guidance, be...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Indeed, but I believe that my amendments would require that rationale. Rather than there being a full report, the rationale would be provided in the form of a statement. Having reflected on the stage 2 debate, I think that that would provide the required robustness and clarity...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I agree with that. Sometimes, the nature and intensity of the diagnosis produce a very good-quality relationship, which is why, as I reflected at stage 2, the length of time is not a good proxy for that, because sometimes a short but intense doctor-patient relationship is much...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I completely agree. It is important that good understanding is established. That cannot be achieved in a perfunctory way; it must be done in person. We do not want the matter to be decided after very short interactions; they must be quality interactions.I pay tribute to Bob Do...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

So far in stage 3, there has been much discussion about the safeguards that might be provided for in the bill, but in reality that boils down to the judgment of two doctors.That might be the right way to proceed, but we need to be clear that the opinion of the co-ordinating me...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

11 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Does Brian Whittle agree that this is not just about the particular circumstances that we are debating today? It is a good idea for us all to discuss with our loved ones potential health matters that might arise further down the line and what care and treatment options we migh...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

In the interests of Kenny Gibson’s good humour, I have nothing further to add. I seek to withdraw amendment 3.Amendment 3, by agreement, withdrawn.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

One of the jeopardies of any stage 2 or 3 proceedings is that we do not quite know where in a grouping our amendments will be called. I stand up somewhat self-consciously for two reasons. First, my amendments in this very important group would, in some ways, have been better c...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I wonder if it is, in fact, worse than Michael Marra has suggested. To suggest that the Scottish Sentencing Council somehow has primacy over this place regarding penalties is to get the precedent round the wrong way. Surely it is for Parliament to legislate for what the penalt...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I have to say that I have not heard that from hospices, but I have certainly heard from practitioners who have indicated as much.In conclusion, my amendment 17 seeks to strike a balance by enabling those organisations to opt out, and to carry on, in a way, but to uphold a degr...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I do accept that there are some very finely balanced judgments to be made here. I acknowledge the points that have been made in that regard, but I do not necessarily think that what I am proposing will prevent an organisation from providing access.The more important point is t...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will give way in a moment, if I can first complete the point.People might find themselves in hospice, having not contemplated using the provisions of the legislation, and then they might change their mind. I believe that organisations have a right to opt out because of the w...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Ruth Maguire makes the point excellently. Many people will be able to incorporate assisted dying into their practice. It would be wrong to say that it is a binary issue, but many people will be deeply troubled by it. What is more, many people working in a small environment wit...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

We are dealing with profound moral issues that are issues of conscience. Therefore, individual opt-outs and, indeed, organisational opt-outs are absolutely fundamental. I am not going to repeat many of the arguments on individual opt-outs that we have heard so far in this grou...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Again, I thank members for a thoughtful discussion on the grouping. I did not intend to cover off every amendment in it, but I find myself somewhat compelled to comment on the discussion of Douglas Ross’s amendments. With regard to their focus and objective, they are well made...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am very supportive of the intent behind the amendments in this group that Ms Roddick has lodged. However, I have one concern about her framing of amendment 140, which includes developmental or cognitive conditions. I worry that that might encompass people with attention defi...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Further to Clare Haughey’s point, we are dealing with extending the possibility of ending an individual’s life. By definition, therefore, we are dealing with people who are contemplating ending their own life, so I fear that Douglas Ross is blundering into a tautology here. We...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I accept that but, for the reason that Brian Whittle gave, it would be dangerous to pass the bill in a completely open-ended manner. The six-months provision states, essentially, that we wish this to be used by those who are in the final stage of their life, and it is somethin...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I quite agree. I am happy to give way to Alasdair Allan if he wishes to intervene.

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The way in which amendment 2 is drafted is certainly not definitive, because it talks about a reasonable expectation of six months. The idea of reasonableness is a concept that we use and invoke across all manner of legislation. Is that a threshold? It is not. I am saying that...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The member makes a fair and important point, because we are dealing with complexities. We may all need to wrestle with, and accept, the fact that the decision may not be available to all people, because of its serious nature. All members will have to understand that we must ha...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank the Deputy First Minister for raising the issue and note the concerns both from the individual that she cites and from others.If we are considering passing the bill, we must understand what we are passing. Amendment 2 is not about forecasting and it certainly cannot be...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I assure members that I will not be speaking at the beginning of every single grouping. It just happens that I got my amendments in early on these sections of the bill. In addition, I do not intend to rehearse much of what I said about the previous group of amendments, because...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I acknowledge that.I will deal with the points that have been raised. First, I say to Jackie Baillie that my amendments would certainly not expand the definition. My intention with amendment 1 is that the word “and” in the proposed new paragraphs makes it an additional require...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I will in a moment.It is really important that we add some additional protections. I regret that amendments 136 and 1 are not being considered alongside the amendments in the next group. To my mind, having a terminal condition is a necessary condition under the bill, but it is...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I thank everyone who has contributed to the debate. We all face a fundamental conundrum. We are being asked to ponder legislation in which the key definition is simply that a person is“terminally ill if they have an advanced and progressive disease, illness or condition from w...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I would simply draw on the legislation in the two jurisdictions that I mentioned for comparison, both of which have similar or comparable forms of wording. In addition, the fundamental definitions of “terminal illness” and “progressive” in the bill would similarly require lega...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

The member makes a fair point, but I would also argue that, without that, if there is the possibility of a treatment that would improve the person’s condition, would we want to allow them to proceed? Somebody could have a terminal condition and be at the end of their life but ...

Daniel Johnson Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

I am happy to deal with that point. I actually disagree with it, because I believe that we must be frank about the fact that all the decisions and judgments that we are asking professionals to make in the course of the assisted death process will be subjective. There is no pos...

Daniel Johnson (Edinburgh Southern) (Lab) Lab Chamber

10 Mar 2026

Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3

Thank you, Presiding Officer. It is with a great deal of trepidation that I rise to speak to and move the first amendment.I begin by paying tribute to Liam McArthur for the way in which he has stewarded the bill through the Parliament. It is not an easy topic, but it is one th...

Daniel Johnson Lab Committee

04 Mar 2026

Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

:Following my discussions with the cabinet secretary, the amendments in this group seek to strengthen the training provisions in the bill. At stage 1, some stakeholders suggested adding the development of training standards alongside the approved list of training providers tha...