Plenary, 04 Oct 2006
Meeting date: Wednesday, October 4, 2006
Official Report
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Point of Order
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. My point of order is in three parts.
First, at 3 o'clock this afternoon the Scottish Executive issued a press release announcing the resignation as of midnight tonight of the Lord Advocate. Is it in order that the press should be informed of the Lord Advocate's resignation before the Parliament is informed, given that the Lord Advocate is appointed by the Parliament? I remind you that when Henry McLeish resigned as First Minister, he came to the Parliament to announce his resignation—he did not go to the press.
Secondly, before an immediate replacement is announced, the Parliament should have an opportunity to consider the position of the Lord Advocate and how it can be depoliticised, so that confidence in the Lord Advocate's independence may be restored.
Thirdly, will the Parliament be treated properly and get a statement on the resignation tomorrow?
Under rule 4.8.2, the Presiding Officer is obliged to notify the Parliament when any member of the Scottish Executive demits office. I confirm that I was so informed this afternoon and that the resignation will be effective from midnight tonight. I will make an announcement to that effect at the earliest opportunity, in tomorrow's Business Bulletin.
I understand that the Executive intends to lodge a motion to replace the Lord Advocate, which will be moved tomorrow. At that point, members will have an opportunity to raise associated issues.