Hansard

The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone) NPA

The next item of business is consideration of business motion S6M-20826, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a busi...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call Douglas Ross to speak to and move amendment S6M-20826.1.17:40

Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con) Con

I am glad that the Lord Advocate and the Solicitor General remain in the chamber for this debate, because it is a request about the Lord Advocate’s time. I h...

Douglas Ross Con

This is why we need a statement tomorrow.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Let us hear one another.

Douglas Ross Con

It is a serious question. How can the Lord Advocate come to the Parliament and say that the information that she provided to the First Minister in a memo was...

Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP) SNP

Will the member give way?

Douglas Ross Con

I will give way in a moment.She felt so concerned about the issue that she had to draft a memo to the First Minister. She was concerned that John Swinney wou...

The Presiding Officer NPA

Let us hear one another.

Kevin Stewart SNP

Will the member give way?

Douglas Ross Con

I have said that I will give way in a minute.The Lord Advocate was so concerned that Scotland’s First Minister would speak inappropriately about the case tha...

The Presiding Officer NPA

I call the Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans to respond on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau.17:45

The Minister for Parliamentary Business and Veterans (Graeme Dey) SNP

Douglas Ross’s amendment to the business motion seeks a statement from the Lord Advocate tomorrow on communications in relation to Mr Murrell’s case. However...

Douglas Ross Con

But we did not get answers.

Graeme Dey SNP

If Mr Ross would show a bit of courtesy and listen, that would be useful.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Let us hear the minister.

Graeme Dey SNP

We have had more than enough performative nonsense from Mr Ross.The Lord Advocate answered those questions—

Douglas Ross Con

She did not.

Graeme Dey SNP

—and committed to provide further information in writing. Therefore, MSPs have had an opportunity to provide scrutiny of the Lord Advocate in this area. Give...

Douglas Ross Con

We got no answers.

The Presiding Officer NPA

Mr Ross, please resist the temptation to contribute from your seat.

Graeme Dey SNP

Thank you, Presiding Officer.Members will have the opportunity to explore the issue further at First Minister’s question time tomorrow, if they so wish.Given...

The Presiding Officer NPA

The first question is, that amendment S6M-20826.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, which seeks to amend motion S6M-20826, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf o...

The Presiding Officer NPA

There will be a division. There will be a short suspension to allow members to access the digital voting system.17:46Meeting suspended.17:48On resuming—

The Presiding Officer NPA

We move to the division on amendment S6M-20826.1, in the name of Douglas Ross. Members should cast their votes now.

ForBaillie, Jackie (Dumbarton) (Lab)Baker, Claire (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)Bibby, Neil (West Scotland) (Lab)Boyack, Sarah (Lothian) (Lab)Briggs, Miles (L...

The Presiding Officer NPA

The result of the division on amendment S6M-20826.1, in the name of Douglas Ross, is: For 51, Against 71, Abstentions 0.Amendment disagreed to.

The Presiding Officer NPA

The next question is, that motion S6M-20826, in the name of Graeme Dey, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, setting out a business programme, be agreed to...

The Presiding Officer NPA

There will be a division.

ForAdam, George (Paisley) (SNP)Adam, Karen (Banffshire and Buchan Coast) (SNP)Adamson, Clare (Motherwell and Wishaw) (SNP)Allan, Alasdair (Na h-Eileanan an I...