Official Report 581KB pdf
09:03
Agenda item 2 is consideration of our choice of deputy convener. The Parliament has agreed that the deputy convener will be a member of the Scottish National Party. As I have been elected as convener, the position of deputy convener is vacant. I understand that Ben Macpherson is being proposed. Do members agree that Ben Macpherson should be our deputy convener?
Members indicated agreement.
Ben, I congratulate you on your new role as deputy convener. I look forward to working with you, after our many years of knowing each other. Do you want to say a few words?
Thank you, convener and colleagues. I look forward to being the deputy convener and supporting you all in our work together. Having been a member of the Justice Committee and the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing in session 5 and the Criminal Justice Committee in session 6, I look forward to looking back, as well as working together to move forward, to support, improve and scrutinise the criminal justice system and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Thank you, Ben. We are particularly glad to have a former minister on the committee to ensure that ministers who appear before us do not get a particularly easy ride. We will be looking to you for some tips on that.