Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA

The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-08946, in the name of Martin Whitfield, on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s ...

Martin Whitfield (South Scotland) (Lab) Lab

As convener of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, I have the responsibility of lodging and speaking to motions seeking the Parliame...

Ross Greer (West Scotland) (Green) Green

I do not dispute that an inadvertent breach took place, but what Parliament is being asked to vote on is a sanction. I would appreciate it if the committee’s...

Martin Whitfield Lab

I will deal with that matter, as it is specifically dealt with the in the committee’s unanimous report, which has been published and can be read by members i...

Alexander Stewart (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con) Con

As a member of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee, I take the scrutiny and governance of Parliament and its members very seriously. ...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

We, as members of the Scottish Parliament, have the privilege of serving the people of Scotland. We must do that in their best interests and as transparently...

Christine Grahame (Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale) (SNP) SNP

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance on a general point. In my time in Parliament we have had several instances of standards recommen...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I thank Ms Grahame for her point of order. The convener addressed some of the points raised in Ms Grahame’s point of order, and pointed out that there is no ...

Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green) Green

I thank members of the SPPA Committee and the Commissioner for Ethical Standards in Public Life in Scotland for their consideration of this case. As a form...

Martin Whitfield Lab

Will the member give way?

Mark Ruskell Green

I would like to make progress in laying out our concerns, but I will give way to the committee convener.

Martin Whitfield Lab

I am very grateful. As a point of clarification, does the member agree that the judgment of the individual member must always err on the side of being transp...

Mark Ruskell Green

Indeed—but I have laid out the circumstances in which the case emerged and I do not believe that an incorrect judgment was made in that regard. Many members ...

The Presiding Officer NPA

You must conclude, Mr Ruskell.

Mark Ruskell Green

We believe that those qualities are lacking in the recommendation today.

The Presiding Officer NPA

That concludes the debate on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s 10th report in 2023, session 6.