Chamber and committees

That concludes the ministerial statement. I will allow a moment or two for front-bench members to organise for the next item of business.

The result of the division on amendment S6M-18671.2, in the name of Anas Sarwar, is: For 19, Against 98, Abstentions 1.

Amendment disagreed to.

Before we move to topical questions I would like to say something about the deeply shocking situation that the Parliament has faced in recent days. Not a single person in the Parliament is unaffected. You will be aware that the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body met this morning. Following that meeting, a detailed note has been provided to party groups, individual members and staff.

I take this opportunity to reiterate a number of points.

I am absolutely appalled that anyone would have to face a situation such as this in the Parliament or, indeed, in any workplace or any other environment. We all feel shock and hurt at the recent allegations relating to an elected member and the reports of a shocking invasion of privacy.

The safety and welfare of everyone who works in this building are our priority. These circumstances are unprecedented for the Parliament, and it has been and continues to be a highly complex situation to navigate. There is an on-going live criminal investigation. The information available to the Parliament at different stages has, therefore, necessarily been limited, and parliamentary authorities do not have confirmation of any investigation details. If further information is confirmed or verified, we will share it.

It is important to be clear that neither officials nor the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body have the authority to remove the rights and privileges of an elected member. Officials have worked at pace to consider how this unprecedented situation should best be responded to, establishing appropriate lawful authority to act and carrying out a thorough risk assessment. Having considered that, the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body agreed to deactivate the member’s pass.

Although procedures are a matter for the whole Parliament, for its part the SPCB is committed to reviewing online and physical security as a whole, in line with its remit and responsibilities.

As it remains a live criminal investigation, the matter is sub judice. We must avoid contempt of court, and nothing should be said or done that might jeopardise the investigation. We can comment only on information that is verified, and I will continue to keep party leaders and groups across the Parliament up to date.

Police Scotland has swept the facilities in the building, and no devices were found. Enhanced security checks of the building will continue as we seek to provide further reassurance to members and to each and every person who works in or visits the Scottish Parliament.

Teams at the Parliament have been working hard to put in place a range of additional support for all those affected. The chief executive and I wrote to building users yesterday to set out how that support can be accessed. Meetings have taken place with various groups already, and we will continue that process across the coming weeks, working with all staff groups in the building. I encourage everyone to access the support that they need. That is vitally important. I reiterate that you should feel able to contact me personally, in confidence, if I can be of any help.

I realise that people have questions about these matters. In the update given earlier today, the SPCB and I set out as much information as we can. I must remind members that, as this matter is sub judice, it would not be appropriate to comment further. I assure members that I will continue to keep them updated. I am acutely aware of the concerns that people have, and we are committed to doing everything that we can to address them.

There is much interest in this statement. I would be grateful for concise questions and responses.

There will be a division.

The vote is closed.

The next item of business is consideration of four Parliamentary Bureau motions. I ask Jamie Hepburn, on behalf of the Parliamentary Bureau, to move motions S6M-18690 and S6M-18691, on committee membership, and motions S6M-18692 and S6M-18693, on committee substitutes.

Motions moved,

That the Parliament agrees that—

Rhoda Grant be appointed to replace Paul O’Kane as a member of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee;

Davy Russell be appointed to replace Foysol Choudhury as a member of the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee;

Michael Marra be appointed to replace Paul O’Kane as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee; and

Carol Mochan be appointed to replace Mark Griffin as a member of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee.

That the Parliament agrees that Ariane Burgess be appointed to replace Mark Ruskell as a member of the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.

That the Parliament agrees that—

Michael Marra be appointed as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Public Audit Committee;

Foysol Choudhury be appointed to replace Daniel Johnson as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee;

Mark Griffin be appointed to replace Carol Mochan as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Social Justice and Social Security Committee; and

Rhoda Grant be appointed as the Scottish Labour Party substitute on the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.

That the Parliament agrees that Mark Ruskell be appointed to replace Ariane Burgess as the Scottish Green Party substitute on the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.—[Jamie Hepburn]

There are six questions to be put as a result of today’s business. I remind members that, if the amendment in the name of Russell Findlay is agreed to, the amendments in the name of Anas Sarwar and Alex Cole-Hamilton will fall.

The first question is, that amendment S6M-18671.4, in the name of Russell Findlay, which seeks to amend motion S6M-18671, in the name of John Swinney, on priorities for Scotland, be agreed to. Are we agreed?

Members: No.

That concludes topical questions.

Good afternoon. The first item of business this afternoon is time for reflection, and our time for reflection leader today is Lorraine Currie, chief executive of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund.

Always speak through the chair, please.