Meeting of the Parliament [Draft] Business until 14:19.

Meeting date: Tuesday, September 23, 2025

Official Report 486KB pdf

Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I promise not to detain colleagues for too long; I know that we will be busy this evening.

Thank you, Presiding Officer, for allowing me to make this point of order. As you are aware, we spoke yesterday and you said that it would be okay for me to do so.

I rise to refer to my conduct last week, which precipitated my standing down from ministerial office. I have apologised directly to Mr Ross. I reiterate that apology now. I have apologised to the First Minister and, yesterday, I apologised to you, Presiding Officer.

I think that it is appropriate, though, that I also apologise to the chamber and to all colleagues. To those of us who love this institution, it is important that we all act in a manner that does not bring it into disrepute. I regret that lapse in my normal conduct last week—I hope that people would recognise that I would not normally conduct myself in such a fashion—and I apologise to all colleagues.

Thank you, Mr Hepburn. I note your remarks. Members know the responsibilities that are placed on all of us, and I expect all members to take those obligations under the code of conduct seriously, both within and outwith the chamber.