Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 06 January 2026
06 Jan 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Complaint
Miss Regan’s letter to the Presiding Officer and the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee expressed concerns about Maggie Chapman’s attack on the Supreme Court and requested advice, not action.
With regard to what Mr Whitfield said, I would be interested to know the answer to this question. Can Miss Regan say whether there was no intent to complain but an intent to seek advice, which would mean that the code of conduct was not broken in that instance?
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-20269, 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...
Graham Simpson (Central Scotland) (Reform)
Reform
Can the convener tell us whether Ash Regan ended up making a complaint?
Martin Whitfield
Lab
I am unable to answer that question, because no complaint has come via the independent commissioner to my committee that I am aware of. However, section 9.1 ...
Liam Kerr (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Will the member take an intervention?
Martin Whitfield
Lab
I will do if he is very quick.
Liam Kerr
Con
I am genuinely listening to what Mr Whitfield is saying, and I am trying to work out what is best to do. I wonder whether the committee convener can help me ...
Martin Whitfield
Lab
I can certainly endeavour to do so—but I have no intention of stepping across the First Minister’s responsibility for the Scottish Government and the ministe...
Ash Regan (Edinburgh Eastern) (Ind)
Ind
Over these past decades, public trust in this Parliament has declined significantly, and that is every member’s joint responsibility. Confidence in this inst...
Rachael Hamilton (Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con)
Con
Will the member give way?
Ash Regan
Ind
If I will get the time back, Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Rachael Hamilton.
Rachael Hamilton
Con
Miss Regan’s letter to the Presiding Officer and the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee expressed concerns about Maggie Chapman’s attack...
Ash Regan
Ind
I confirm to the member that I did not send a complaint to the Ethical Standards Commissioner and that both the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call John Mason. 17:59
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (Ind)
Ind
I will be very brief, Presiding Officer. I have to say that I find this an extremely strange scenario. We have one MSP over there who is seeking to undermine...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Martin Whitfield to wind up the debate. 18:00
Martin Whitfield
Lab
I thank those who have contributed to this debate. Section 9.1 of the code of conduct, on the enforcement of the rules, states: “Members must not disclose,...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
That concludes the debate on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee’s ninth report in 2025.