Latest news with #FMQs
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Douglas Ross in PO pro-indy bias claim after FMQs expulsion
However, a spokesperson for Holyrood said the MSP had been repeatedly warned about his heckling. READ MORE The row began after Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay questioned the First Minister on the impact of net zero policies on agriculture. In response, John Swinney said Brexit had harmed farmers, prompting Mr Ross to shout: 'Swinney deflecting again.' Ms Johnstone halted proceedings and said: 'Mr Ross, you have persistently refused to abide by our standing orders and I would ask you to leave this chamber and you are excluded for the rest of the day.' Mr Ross did not initially leave, forcing the Presiding Officer to pause proceedings again to insist he depart. Here is the moment Douglas Ross was kicked out of the Chamber today during FMQs @heraldscotland — Hannah Brown (@HannahMargBrown) May 29, 2025 Speaking to journalists afterwards, Mr Ross said he was 'very frustrated' by the decision. 'For a member to be expelled from the chamber without being warned at all, I think may be unprecedented. I have been warned in the past, as has John Swinney. I have been warned quite a lot recently, as has John Swinney, for shouting and heckling and others and asking questions, as have many SNP backbenchers and frontbenchers.' Asked if he was questioning the Presiding Officer's neutrality, Mr Ross replied: 'Yes.' He said MSPs from other parties had messaged him to express concern about Ms Johnstone's conduct. 'They were just surprised by the actions of the Presiding Officer. We are a legislature here — we are not a library. "There is going to be some discussion from the benches around the respective party spokespeople. That is what people watch politics for. Now, sometimes it goes beyond the pale and action has to be taken. "But I do not recall ever seeing a Presiding Officer take no action to try to minimise that behaviour or to warn any members before excluding them — and she reached straight for that option today, which for me raises serious concerns. "The speed at which she did it made me almost think it was premeditated. 'It did not matter what I did today. I wonder if she was just going to go straight for that. And certainly, by looking at it, there was no hesitation from Alison Johnstone to reach for that straightaway.' He added: 'I think we have got to look at her actions against Conservatives in general, and how she has responded to comments from SNP ministers. "For example, the First Minister is apparently allowed to call the Conservatives a disgusting party with no sanction. "But Russell Findlay was making comments about the Green Party, which she immediately slapped down. "So it does raise questions about the consistency in her decision-making and how she is treating members of different parties.' He said: 'Alison Johnstone, formerly being a Green Party member, said that she would leave her party allegiances at the door, but [she is] taking very different approaches to nationalist politicians who step out of line compared to unionist politicians who step out of line.' The Scottish LibDems said they continued to support Ms Johnstone. Alex Cole-Hamilton said: 'If Douglas Ross does not want to be in the Scottish Parliament any more he should just resign. 'Anyone watching First Minister's Questions will know that for weeks and weeks Douglas Ross has been provoking the Presiding Officer in the hope that he would get thrown out, in a cynical bid for relevance. 'The Presiding Officer was quite right to eject him and my party has full confidence in her impartiality.'
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Record
Holyrood Presiding Officer 'blatantly biased' against Unionist politicians, claim Tories
Alison Johnstone showed the red card to former SFA match official Douglas Ross during FMQs today. The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament has been branded "blatantly biased" against Unionist politicians after she booted Douglas Ross out from FMQs today. The former Scottish Conservatives leader was ordered to leave Holyrood's debating chamber after he heckled John Swinney when the First Minister was responding to a question. Johnstone told the Tory: 'I would ask you to leave this chamber and you are excluded for the rest of the day.' Her actions resulted in the Scottish Tories accusing the Presiding Officer of 'blatant bias' against them. A party spokesperson said: 'The Presiding Officer has shown a consistent pattern to favour certain parties at the expense of others. 'We will be seeking discussions to reiterate that the Presiding Officer should not show blatant bias.' Ross said Johnstone should now 'seriously consider her neutral role'. He told reporters he represented many farmers who were left frustrated by the First Minister ducking questions. 'This is an issue that is extremely important to those individuals who are in that sector and their families and their communities, therefore they deserve to hear those answers,' he said. 'But for a member to be expelled from the chamber with no warning at all, I think may be unprecedented.' He added: "There have been concerns outwith this building about how [Johnstone] treats Conservative MSPs compared to government ministers, Green MSPs for example,' he said. 'And since this happened at lunch time, I've had senior members from other parties saying that Alison Johnstone risks losing support within the chamber for her actions.' The former Tory leader said Holyrood was 'not a library'. He continued: "There is going to be some discussion from the benches around the respective party spokespeople. That is what people watch politics for. "Now, sometimes to goes beyond the pale and action has to be taken, but I don't recall ever seeing a presiding officer take no action to try to minimise that behaviour or to warn any members before excluding them. "She reached straight for that option today, which for me raises serious concerns about it. And the speed at which she did it made me almost think it was premeditated. It didn't matter what I did today, I wonder if she was just going to go straight for that.' Ross argued the environment in the Holyrood chamber is already 'far too sterile' and Ms Johnstone had been having a 'controlling effect' on the chamber in recent weeks and months. 'You've got to look at Alison Johnstone formerly being a Green Party member, saying that she would leave her party allegiances at the door, but taking very different approaches to nationalist politicians who step out of line, compared to unionist politicians who step out of line,' he said. A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: "The Presiding Officer has warned Mr Ross on repeated occasions recently about his behaviour in the Chamber. "Due to his persistent refusal to respect the rules of Parliament, the Member was asked to leave the Chamber. This suspension is for the remainder of the day."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Douglas Ross kicked out of FMQs after fiery clash
The Scottish Tories have released a statement accusing the Presiding Officer of 'blatant bias' DRAMATIC EXIT Douglas Ross kicked out of First Minister's Questions after heckling John Swinney as Presiding Officer accused of 'bias' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has been booted out of First Minister's Questions after heckling John Swinney. Mr Ross shouted out after the First Minister had attacked Scottish Tory boss Russell Findlay over Brexit during a fiery clash about support for farmers. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 3 Douglas Ross glares at Alison Johnstone as he exits the Holyrood chamber. 3 First Minister John Swinney was being heckled by Scottish Tory MSPs. Credit: Alamy 3 Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross was removed from parliament during FMQs Credit: Alamy It came after Mr Findlay claimed farmers had been given 'no reassurance' by his SNP rival amid concerns over the Government's net zero target. And Mr Swinney responded: 'What was not reassuring to farmers was the Brexit that Mr Findlay supported.' But, as Scottish Tory MSPs loudly heckled the First Minister, Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone turned her fire on the Moray MSP. She told the chamber: 'Let's hear one another. Mr Ross, you have persistently refused to abide by our standing orders and I would ask you to leave this chamber, and you are excluded for the rest of the day.' However, with Mr Ross appearing to refuse to leave, Ms Johnstone said: 'Mr Ross, I have asked you to leave the chamber, please do so.' After gathering his belongings and heading to the exit, Mr Ross glared at Ms Johnstone, who ignored him and then allowed the First Minister to continue. She then reprimanded another Scottish Tory MSP, Douglas Lumsden, telling him: 'Please refrain from shouting from your seat.' Following the exchange, a Scottish Tory spokesman said: "The Presiding Officer has shown a consistent pattern to favour certain parties at the expense of others. "We will be seeking discussions to reiterate that the Presiding Officer should not show blatant bias." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Scottish Sun. is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun.
STV News
15-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Further delays to years late and over budget ferry 'unacceptable', says Swinney
The First Minister has said further delays to the years-late and millions-over-budget Arran ferry are 'unacceptable'. John Swinney came under attack from opposition leaders on Thursday just days after the Scottish Government-owned Ferguson Marine revealed that the completion of the MV Glen Rosa had once again been delayed until at least June 2026. The ship is now due to enter service at least eight years late and the price tag has also increased by millions. Initially, both the Glen Rosa and the other new dual-fuel ferry, the Glen Sannox, were due to cost £97m and be in service between Arran and the mainland by 2018, but substantial delays have driven costs up to more than £400m. The Glen Sannox entered service earlier this year. 'The time that it's taken to build the Glen Rosa is unacceptable,' Swinney said at FMQs on Thursday. 'The deputy first minister set out to Parliament yesterday many of the reasons why that's the case. 'This has obviously caused disruption to island communities and the Scottish Government is very focused on making sure, with the measures that the Deputy First Minister outlined yesterday, that early progress is made on the Glen Rosa and it can join the Glen Sannox in service at the earliest opportunity.' Opposition politicians pressed the First Minister to take more responsibility for the delays. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar highlighted that the Glen Rosa was first due over half a decade ago. 'Combined with the Glen Sannox, which was launched almost seven years late, the cost of the two ships is now over £460m – that's nearly five times the original contract price,' he said. 'The fact that the new vessels don't even fit at the preferred Port of Ardrossan makes the matter even worse. In same week, it's been revealed that cancellations due to repairs on the ageing CalMac fleet have risen by staggering 531%. So much for steadying the ship. Why is John Swinney unable to get a grip on this crisis?' Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay requested the First Minister reveal what the 'final cost' will be for taxpayers. 'He has never accepted blame, no one in the SNP ever has or ever does,' Findlay said. 'Not a single one of them has held their hands up to islanders or taxpayers. Half-a-billion pounds wasted, nearly a decade wasted, so who is responsible?' In response, Swinney said he 'unreservedly' accepts responsibility for 'everything that happens in the name of my Government', adding he and Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop regularly engage with islanders about ferry services. 'I make clear to Parliament that it is unacceptable these vessels have cost so much and that delays have been experienced,' Swinney reiterated. 'This Government is very focused on making sure they enter service so we can deliver on our commitments to a sustainable ferry service to island communities.' Defending the SNP's record on ferries, Swinney added his Government is 'very focused' delivering on its commitments to support island communities in Scotland. He said ferry travel to island communities is 'significantly cheaper' than the ferry services would have been had the Government not introduced road-equivalent tariff into our ferry services. He added: 'So we've made ferry services more affordable for people in our island communities… we're providing specific support to island communities that have been affected by disruption, and we're investing in the new vessel fleet. 'That is this Government delivering on its commitments to support our island communities in Scotland.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- STV News
Swinney faces questions after assisted dying vote and immigration row
John Swinney will face FMQs on Thursday, days after the Scottish Parliament voted in favour of taking a landmark first step toward legalising assisted dying. The First Minister voted against the bill, which would give terminally ill patients the option of requesting help to end their own lives, on Tuesday evening. However, it was voted past the first stage 70 to 56, with one abstention. FMQs is also coming just days after Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the UK risks becoming an 'island of strangers' while announcing an immigration crackdown. On Monday, the UK Labour Government outlined a suite of proposals to control and crack down on both legal and illegal immigration. Amongst the proposals, migrants would need to spend up to a decade in the UK before they can apply for citizenship. Starmer also wants to end the recruitment of care workers from abroad, cut the number of visas for lower-skilled workers by up to 50,000, and ramp up English language requirements across the board. Immediately after the announcement, Swinney branded the proposals as 'damaging' to the Scottish economy, NHS, social care, and universities. He said Starmer's proposals used the sort of 'divisive language' that 'only plays into Nigel Farage's hands'. The First Minister will also be asked about what steps the Scottish Government is taking to address NHS 24 performance, and what assessment the Government has made of the recently announced UK-USA trade deal for Scottish businesses. FMQs will be broadcast from the Scottish Parliament chamber at noon on Thursday. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
