Official Report 180KB pdf
I call the meeting to order and welcome members.
On a point of order in relation to the Official Report of our previous meeting and further to the point of order that I raised when the words "All the fascists" were used by Alasdair Morrison in the committee, convener. At the time, you said that you did not hear the remark. It is in the Official Report. I think that it would be a good idea if the remark was withdrawn and an apology given to the members concerned.
I will consider the matter. I said last week that I did not hear it. I would like to consider the issue and seek advice from the clerks. We will come back to that. If you had given me notice of your point of order, Mr Gibson, I could have dealt with it before the meeting. I have not yet seen the Official Report of last week's meeting. It would be a courtesy to allow me to consider the issue rather than to ask me to make an impromptu judgment.
Further to the point of order, convener. As one of the members of the committee who was labelled a fascist by Alasdair Morrison, I think—
No, Richard. Stop.
Further to the point of order, convener. I make no apology for raising this. I am happy to discuss the issue at this time, but when we discuss it is obviously your call. The Official Report shows that the words were used but it does not demonstrate the context in which they were used.
I need to consider the issue. I will not have a debate on something that I did not hear said at last week's meeting. With the committee's permission, I will consider the point of order rather than make an impromptu judgment. If Rob Gibson had given me notice of his point of order, I would have been able to consider it beforehand and to give a judgment when he raised it.