Latest news with #ScottishTory
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ross accuses Johnstone of ‘constitutional bias' after being kicked out of FMQs
Douglas Ross has accused Holyrood's Presiding Officer of constitutional bias after being kicked out from the Scottish Parliament's chamber during a boisterous First Minister's Questions. The former Scottish Tory leader claimed Alison Johnstone — who was elected in 2021 as a Scottish Green MSP — treats pro-union parties more harshly than those who backed Yes in the 2014 independence referendum. However, a spokesperson for Holyrood said the MSP had been repeatedly warned about his heckling. READ MORE: Former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross kicked out of Holyrood chamber Soaring welfare bill, ScotRail fares and tax gap heap pressure on Scottish Budget Bid to add 'Second Hampden' to list of nationally important historic sites 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.' A Scottish Parliament spokesperson 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.' On 8 May the Presiding Officer told the MSP, Mr Ross, "if I hear you once more, you will leave this chamber.' On 22 April she said: "Mr Ross, I will not ask again that you refrain from shouting from your seat when you have not been called to speak. That is the last time that I will ask you.' Later that same day, Ms Johnston said: "Mr Ross, would you like to leave the chamber? If you wish to remain here, you must adhere to our standing orders.' Standing Order 7.3 of Scottish Parliament Standing Orders sets out that MSPs "shall at all times conduct themselves in an orderly manner" and that any member who breaks this rule "may be ordered by the Presiding Officer to leave the chamber and may be excluded from the chamber."
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Did Douglas Ross deserve his red card from the Holyrood chamber?
The former Scottish Tory leader, a referee in his spare time, was sent off with no recourse to VAR Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It had been coming for weeks. Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross has had repeated run-ins with Holyrood's Presiding Officer, Alison Johnstone, who has warned him on several occasions about his conduct in the chamber. On Thursday, things came to a head. Mr Ross - a football referee in his spare time - was shown the red card and kicked out of First Minister's Questions after heckling John Swinney during an exchange about net zero. He was also banned from the chamber for the rest of the day. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There was no yellow and no recourse to VAR. But was it deserved? Former Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross, showing a red card | Johnston Press Mr Ross says no. He argues his treatment is 'unprecedented' and has accused the Presiding Officer of being biased against Conservative MSPs and unionist politicians. He said the issue under discussion at the time - the impact on farming of the SNP's 2045 net zero target - is close to his heart as an MSP for the Highlands and Islands, and he was frustrated by the failure of Mr Swinney to address the point. 'For a member to be expelled from the chamber with no warning at all, I think may be unprecedented,' Mr Ross told journalists. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Presiding Officer could point to her many previous warnings, such as on May 21, May 8, April 22 and April 3. But Mr Ross effectively argues infractions on days gone by don't count - or if they do, then other serial hecklers, including SNP frontbenchers, should be treated just as harshly. He added: '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.' Many in Holyrood will reject the suggestion that Ms Johnstone, who was elected a Green MSP, is in any way biased against unionists or Tory politicians. But something else Mr Ross said deserves consideration, even by his opponents. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Holyrood is 'not a library', he told journalists. The environment is already 'far too sterile'. And certainly, compared to Westminster, proceedings can be pretty tame.
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.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Trans toilet rules will not be ‘policed' by Holyrood bosses
Parliament's ruling body said it will not monitor the use of toilets NEW rules on the use of toilets at the Scottish Parliament will not be 'policed' or monitored by Holyrood's ruling body, MSPs have been told. Officials have confirmed that female and male facilities at the parly should be used according to biological sex in the wake of the landmark Supreme Court judgment which ruled sex refers to biological sex under equalities laws. Advertisement 2 Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie raised the issue at Holyrood. 2 Rule changes were made following the Supreme Court judgment in April this year. It applies to toilets, changing rooms and showers in the building, while some other existing facilities have been designated as being for gender-neutral usage. However, 17 MSPs and 29 staff at Holyrood have signed an open letter criticising the decision and to express their 'deep concern' about the changes. Raising the issue with the parliament's ruling body on Tuesday, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie asked: 'Can the Corporate Body promise us that nobody will be required to provide birth certificates or other paperwork merely because someone intolerant suspects them of being transgender?' Responding, SPCB member Christine Grahame said: 'This is not going to be policed by the Corporate Body, but like other sector bodies, we have a complaints process which staff can advise on… for those who wish to complain and which we will consider. Advertisement "But, we are certainly not monitoring the use of public facilities as a corporate body.' Weighing in, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay claimed people would be 'astonished' that parliamentary time was used up to debate the issue. He added: 'This farcical waste of time confirms how out of touch these left-wing parties are from the concerns of people in the real world.'
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots sex beasts at Barlinnie Prison moved to cushy landing for low risk cons
Some cons on the wing have their own cell keys while others have 24-hour phone access and PlayStations FIENDS WING 'BURSTING' Scots sex beasts at Barlinnie Prison moved to cushy landing for low risk cons Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SEX beasts at Barlinnie Prison are being moved to a cushy landing housing low risk cons who are set for early release. Jail sources say bosses have been forced into making the switch because the nick's fiends wing is 'bursting at the seams'. 3 Sex beasts at Barlinnie Prison are being moved to a cushy landing housing low risk cons Credit: Alamy 3 Depraved "Beastie House" ringleader Iain Owens is in the Glasgow prison It comes as the notorious Glasgow prison is currently accommodating a host of sickos — including the 'Beastie House' paedophile ring and its depraved ringleader Iain Owens, 46. A series of sex offenders are now in the jail's comfortable Letham Hall due to the overcrowding issue. A source said: 'Nobody wants to be banged up alongside a filthy beast. 'Some of these prisoners set for early release would jump at the chance to attack a paedo. 'However, they know that one wrong step could jeopardise their freedom. The only light at the end of the tunnel is the thought of getting out, and they wouldn't risk that. 'But there are a few unhappy faces on the landings, even the screws are fed-up of it.' Letham Hall is more relaxed and boasts a nice garden, games area and welcoming spots where lags can socialise. Some cons on the wing have their own cell keys while others have 24-hour phone access and PlayStations. The sex offender overcrowding issue was last night branded 'alarming'. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'This is a direct consequence of the SNP's mismanagement of our prison estate. SNP ministers have been missing in action rather than delivering the prison capacity Scotland requires. Brit woman, 21, rotting in Dubai hellhole jail without a shower for a month after being arrested on drugs charges 'This is a problem entirely of the SNP's making — they've had 18 years to create sufficient capacity and have failed miserably.' A Scottish Prison Service spokesperson said: "We have been managing an extremely high and complex population for more than a year, with nine prisons now at red risk status. "Our staff have worked exceptionally hard to maximise all possible space and ensure we continue to meet the risks and needs of those in our care. "However, this has an increasingly destabilising effect on our establishments, with staff unable to do the critical work of building relationships and supporting rehabilitation, and prisoners frustrated by the impact on their daily lives and opportunities."
