Plenary, 16 Mar 2000
Meeting date: Thursday, March 16, 2000
Official Report
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Presiding Officer's Ruling
I promised earlier that I would rule on a point of order Fergus Ewing raised on Wednesday 8 March, during the debate on post offices, concerning accusations of lying that have been made in the chamber. Because this issue has been raised on more than one occasion, I have given it careful thought with the Deputy Presiding Officers, and now rule as follows.
There is no specific provision in standing orders that governs accusations of members lying during the proceedings of the Parliament. Rule 7.3.1 requires members at all times to
"conduct themselves in a courteous and respectful manner".
The occupant of the chair recognises that it is in the nature of political debate that members will disagree with the opinions or interpretations of other members, and challenges to such opinions or interpretations are perfectly in order. Challenges to the accuracy of opinions or facts are also perfectly in order. However, in future the occupant of the chair will not tolerate an accusation that a fellow member or members have lied. The terms liar or lying imply a deliberate attempt to mislead and will not find favour with the chair. Accordingly, they will in future be ruled out of order under rule 7.3.1.
On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I thank you for that ruling, which will be greeted with approval throughout the chamber. I hope that I speak for all members when I say that we were elected not to be a boorach but to conduct ourselves with dignity and decorum. Your ruling will help to achieve that objective.