Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (Lewis Macdonald) Lab

The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-23884, in the name of Humza Yousaf, on the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill legi...

The Cabinet Secretary for Justice (Humza Yousaf) SNP

I have lodged the motion in order to update the Scottish Parliament on the Scottish Government’s position on the United Kingdom Government’s Covert Human Int...

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Does the cabinet secretary consider that the greatest safeguard would be for the Scottish Government to bring forward its own legislation in that area, which...

Humza Yousaf SNP

I agree, and I will suggest that we progress in that way. I will get to that in a little more detail very shortly. There have been some limited improvements...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I ask for three-minute speeches from front-bench members, please. 15:31

Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con) Con

I thank the cabinet secretary and, especially, the relevant agencies for their engagement on the matter. In my three minutes, I will argue against the motion...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

We support the Scottish Government in rejecting the bill. Covert human intelligence is carried out in several ways, but can mean a police officer infiltra...

John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green) Green

I do not dispute that there is a need for covert work, and I acknowledge that that may involve some lawbreaking. I am referring to dangerous work such as tha...

Liam McArthur (Orkney Islands) (LD) LD

As others have said, the existence of and need for undercover agents is widely accepted. That circumstances may arise as part of such work that force the ind...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

I call Neil Findlay for a brief open-debate contribution. 15:44

Neil Findlay (Lothian) (Lab) Lab

Is it two minutes, Presiding Officer? Thank you for calling me. I have campaigned on this issue for a decade, because the spy cops scandal was one of the gr...

Humza Yousaf SNP

I am conscious of the time, so I will aim most of my remarks at addressing the issues that Liam Kerr raised. I appreciate his acknowledgement of the engageme...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Lab

That concludes the debate. I remind members to observe social distancing requirements, including when leaving and accessing their seats in the chamber.