Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament (Hybrid) 29 September 2020
29 Sep 2020 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Complaints against MSPs (Committee Bill Proposal)
I will take a lot less time than that, Presiding Officer. I kept my opening speech short because I do not think that there is anything at all that divides us on the issue, and the contributions from members have confirmed that.
I was particularly struck by Rachael Hamilton’s comments about this not being a party-political issue. She went on to talk about how the issue criss-crosses society and impacts workplaces the length and breadth of Scotland. Sadly, that is correct, but we have a responsibility as the Scottish Parliament to take the lead, and the proposed bill will allow us to do that.
I very much welcome the proposed bill and the tone of the debate, and I look forward to the proposal coming to fruition.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-22213, in the name of Bill Kidd, on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
The committee’s proposal to introduce a committee bill in relation to sexual harassment complaints marks the culmination of work that was initiated by the Pa...
Mike Rumbles (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
On a point of clarification, would the historical approach apply not just to current, but to former, MSPs?
Bill Kidd
SNP
I am just coming to that; I hope that this will explain it. It is important that I point out that the change will apply only to complaints of sexual harassm...
The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey)
SNP
I propose to keep my contribution to the debate relatively short, as I suspect other members will, too, because I doubt whether there is much, if anything, t...
Jamie Halcro Johnston (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
Everyone who works in the Parliament has an interest in ensuring that the public can have confidence that we operate with a high level of integrity and propr...
Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab)
Lab
The proposed bill follows on from concerns that have been raised about sexual harassment, and about such behaviour in the Parliament. The survey that was cir...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Gosh, everyone is paying attention to the need for brevity today; I am quite stunned. There seems to be some confusion, with some members having pressed the...
Gil Paterson (Clydebank and Milngavie) (SNP)
SNP
This proposed committee bill on complaints against MSPs, which will amend the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002, is an important part of...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
The Scottish Parliament should be a safe and pleasant environment, where staff feel comfortable in their place of work and confident in reporting harassment ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That was the final contribution to the open debate, so we move to the closing speeches. For members’ information, the stage 3 debate may start at about 10 to...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab)
Lab
Our role as MSPs is a privilege and we should aspire to a high standard of behaviour. Sadly, that is not always the case. Neil Findlay pointed out the shock...
Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
I am delighted to have the opportunity to be involved in this important debate. Sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct in all its forms are completely u...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Graeme Dey. You have five minutes. 15:41
Graeme Dey
SNP
I will take a lot less time than that, Presiding Officer. I kept my opening speech short because I do not think that there is anything at all that divides us...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Bill Kidd to wind-up the debate on behalf of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. You can have as long as you like, Mr Kidd. L...
Bill Kidd
SNP
I will aim to be popular and not take too long. I will cover two issues quickly before I get into the meat of my speech. In response to Mike Rumbles, I say ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That concludes the debate on complaints against MSPs—amendment of the Scottish Parliamentary Standards Commissioner Act 2002. We move to the next item of bu...