Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 24 February 2026 [Draft]
24 Feb 2026 · S6 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Points of Order
—and what Mr Swinney did with that information, which was kept secret from the public.
I had the opportunity to ask only one question, which was limited to 45 seconds. Thirteen other members also asked brief questions, but the Lord Advocate’s lengthy responses mostly failed to answer the questions that were put. By the time she sat down, MSPs had even more unanswered questions. The Lord Advocate, who is a minister in the Scottish National Party Government, has refused to make a full statement to the Parliament. John Swinney and the SNP voted down our attempts to secure a statement. Instead, this afternoon, she dumped 70 pages of selective material into the public domain.
Much of that material is irrelevant to the pertinent issue, but it contains at least one striking new admission: the Lord Advocate tipped off John Swinney with sensitive information about the criminal case against Nicola Sturgeon’s husband 11 months ago. John Swinney—
In the same item of business
18:18
Russell Findlay (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance in relation to parliamentary procedure. The Parliament is supposed to hold the Government to acc...
The Presiding Officer (Alison Johnstone)
NPA
Let us hear Mr Findlay.
Russell Findlay
Con
—and what Mr Swinney did with that information, which was kept secret from the public.I had the opportunity to ask only one question, which was limited to 45...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Findlay, for clarity, I note that a point of order should describe which procedure you think has not been followed or is not being followed.
Russell Findlay
Con
I understand, Presiding Officer. I am just attempting to put context around it.John Swinney failed to disclose that when I questioned him at First Minister’s...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Findlay, I am very keen that you identify the procedure that you are concerned about in relation to our standing orders.
Russell Findlay
Con
I am just doing so.This is about parliamentary scrutiny and Government accountability—Interruption.—so can you please tell me whether—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear Mr Findlay.
Russell Findlay
Con
Can you please tell me what methods or mechanisms are available to me, or to any other member, to compel the Lord Advocate to provide a full statement to thi...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
If a member seeks a ministerial statement, they can speak with their business manager, who would bring the request to the Parliamentary Bureau, or they can d...
Kevin Stewart (Aberdeen Central) (SNP)
SNP
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I seek your guidance on some of the issues that were raised just seconds ago. Mr Findlay said that the answers that t...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Let us hear Mr Stewart.
Kevin Stewart
SNP
I seek your guidance, Presiding Officer. What do you think would be answers that are too comprehensive?
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I would suggest that that is not a point of order, Mr Stewart. When I feel that my intervention is required, I will make one.
Douglas Ross (Highlands and Islands) (Con)
Con
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. Can I ask you directly why you interrupt points of order from Conservative members but allow SNP members uninterrupte...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Ross, it is not appropriate to challenge the chair. I am making my decisions in the chair, live, according to what I have heard. I ask that you consider w...
Douglas Ross
Con
Further to that point of order, Presiding Officer.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Is it on the same subject?
Douglas Ross
Con
It is further to that point of order.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Douglas Ross for a point of order on another subject.
Douglas Ross
Con
Our standing orders are there to protect all members—not just those of the SNP and not just the Presiding Officer. Interruption. Standing orders are very cle...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Ross, please take your seat. I am wholly impartial and fair in this chair.
Douglas Ross
Con
No, you are not.Members: Oh!
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Mr Ross, I ask you to withdraw that. I would very much like you to remain with your colleagues until the end of the day. I think that it is very important th...
Douglas Ross
Con
I will withdraw them even though I believe them.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Thank you, Mr Ross, but I afraid that that is not satisfactory and I now regretfully ask you to please leave the chamber.
Douglas Ross
Con
No.
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I would be grateful if we could suspend proceedings for a moment.18:25Meeting suspended.18:28On resuming—
The Presiding Officer
NPA
Given the situation in which we find ourselves, with on-going disregard for the authority of the Presiding Officer, but cognisant of the impact on all other ...