Annabelle Ewing
Scottish National Party · Scotland
“Before we turn to the next item of business, I hope that members do not mind if I say a few words. I would like to say specifically what an honour it has been for me to serve in the Scottish Parliament, which, of course, was reconvened by my late mother, Winnie Ewing, in 1999.”
“There is one question to be put as a result of today’s business. The question is, that motion S6M-21180, in the name of John Swinney, on a motion of thanks, be agreed to.”
“I hope that members feel that I have discharged my duty. I thank you for having given me the opportunity to be your Deputy Presiding Officer, along with Mr McArthur, and I wish each of you all the very best.”
“Members! Màiri McAllan: Equally, the prospect of scrapping the land and buildings transaction tax or stamp duty land tax is for the birds, and I am afraid that it demonstrates that the Conservatives realise that their chances of implementing any such policies are, to put it politely, very slim.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises the importance of sport and activity as a force for good that goes beyond just physical health; considers that they have a significant impact on mental health, as well as contributing to community and national cohesion and wellbeing; believes that sport breaks down barriers of colour, race, r…”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament notes with concern the reported decision by the Lloyds Banking Group to close 11 Bank of Scotland branches between June and July 2026, including the Rutherglen branch; understands that this is the latest in a series of bank closures across the UK; believes that these closures will have a significant imp…”
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“We need to support such industries in the transition to net zero by offering targeted financial incentives for adopting greener technologies, improving energy efficiency, and reducing food waste. Our farming and fishing industries also need a longer-term strategy—one that balances economic growth with our environmental responsibilities. Without proper stewardship, our marine biodiversity and coastal economies will suffer. It is time to set out a robust plan for sustainable fisheries that protects our waters and the livelihoods of those that depend on them. The good food nation plan should be at the heart of that, ensuring sustainability and food security for future generations. Unfortunately, the current draft plan lacks the ambition that is necessary to achieve that.”
“Government agencies need to work more closely with schools, colleges, and universities to develop the right training programmes that align with industry needs, with more investment in apprenticeships and a renewed focus on food and drink careers. Unless we address the chronic housing shortage, especially in rural areas, I will continue to meet businesses such as the ones that I met in Dumfries and Galloway that told me that, even when they find staff who want to take up posts, the appointments often fall through because there is no affordable housing nearby. I have also met businesses that are global leaders in sustainable food and drink production— focusing, for example, on carbon capture— particularly businesses in the whisky industry.”
“No wonder Borders College and others have criticised the decision to axe the flexible workforce development fund and other support to get more skilled workers into the workplace. Our producers, our farmers, and our manufacturers need that steady pipeline of newly qualified, skilled workers. The Food and Drink Federation estimates that the sector needs nearly 35,000 new recruits by 2031 to fill skills gaps. Government agencies need to work— Finlay Carson: Will the member give way? Colin Smyth: I do not think that I have enough time to do that and to get through everything that I need to get through.”
“There is no additional time. It is up to the member whether he wishes to subsume the intervention. Colin Smyth: I would like to do so but I have a few issues that I want to highlight, so I will continue. I know from engaging with businesses in that journey across my region that there is no shortage of issues being raised, and many of those issues sit with this Parliament and with the Scottish Government. A week rarely passes when I do not speak to a business that is struggling to recruit skilled workers. People at one major hotel that I visited in the Scottish Borders told me that the hotel was not running at capacity, not because of a lack of demand but because of a lack of skilled staff—and those were well-paid, highly skilled posts that remained unfilled.”
“AI- powered diagnostics could revolutionise waiting times.”
“Please always speak through the chair. Sandesh Gulhane: Wow. The member says that some progress is being made when, as I said, we were one of the first countries to use AI, back in 2011, but we do not have any strong national leadership on AI. Why is there work in one health board? Why are we not rolling out AI across all health boards? Progress has been painfully slow. Patients were told that they would have a new and streamlined way to access NHS services, yet, as of late 2024, no supplier has been selected to build that. By the time it finally arrives—if it ever does—it will be years behind schedule, while patients elsewhere in the UK have already moved on to the next stage of digital healthcare. This Government is failing to invest in technology that could make a real difference.”
“The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16302, in the name of Paul O’Kane, on young carers action day 2025. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. Motion debated, That the Parliament acknowledges that 12 March 2025 marks Young Carers Action Day; welcomes the annual campaign initiative, led by Carers Trust, which is encouraging as many organisations, communities and individuals as possible to take part in the day by taking action, and supporting and raising awareness of young carers; recognises the 2025 theme, Give Us a Break, which will focus on ensuring that young carers are able to access timely and restful breaks to avoid burnout from their caring role, and the need for education professionals and employers to give them a break in life by supporting them in school and at work, and creating better life opportunities; commends what it sees as the immense contribution that young carers make to society, including in the West Scotland region, by caring for their family or friends who are ill, frail, disabled or have mental health or addiction problems; believes that caring for someone should not be a barrier to having an equal opportunity in learning, earning or being able to participate and get on in life; recognises that young carers’ responsibilities at home can mean that they often feel overwhelmed at having to juggle their caring responsibilities with their school work and social life; notes Carers Trust’s research, which found that 52% of young carers surveyed said that they always or usually feel stressed because of being a young carer or young adult carer; acknowledges what it considers is the importance of events such as the Scottish Young Carers Festival, which provide an opportunity for young carers to have a break from their caring role, meet other young carers and have fun; understands that young carers want lasting meaningful change to take place to ensure that young carers now, and in the future, remain at the forefront of policy development and have access to the support and breaks that they are entitled to and deserve; recognises what it sees as the importance of rest and respite for young carers in Scotland; notes the view that all young carers deserve a break, and wishes all involved in this year’s #YoungCarersActionDay the very best of luck in their endeavours.”
“I move amendment S6M-16755.2, to leave out from first “the Scottish Government” to end and insert: “all women deserve protection from misogyny, including transmisogyny; condemns the rise in transphobic rhetoric and policy; believes that transgender and nonbinary people contribute immensely to the wellbeing of Scotland’s communities; reiterates its commitment to human rights for all, including freedom from discrimination and upholding the Equality Act 2010; requires all public bodies to comply with the law, and welcomes the role of the Equalities and Human Rights Commission in providing codes of practice and guidance.” 15:24”
“I know that there are members across the chamber who will stand, as I do, in solidarity with care, love and respect for our trans and non-binary siblings, our hearts aching at the pain that, once again and with such injustice, they are called upon to bear. So far as we can, we share that pain. Everyone deserves safety. Everyone deserves respect. Everyone deserves protection of their human rights—that is what universal means. I will close with the words of a cis woman who wrote in advance of today’s debate: “women’s rights are endangered far more by following the US into an anti-trans crusade led by the evangelical right than they ever could be by a trans woman using the bathroom cubicle beside mine.” I am proud to stand here this afternoon in solidarity with our trans and non-binary siblings.”
“That it is not ok to treat us as our biological sex at birth all the time, as to do so greatly reduces our quality of life, our right to privacy, and our right to simply be recognised for who we are.” This motion, disguised as policy, represents collective punishment of trans women, of trans men, of non-binary people, of intersex people and of women who are too tall or too broad, who have the wrong voices or the wrong clothes, or who have hair in the wrong places or not enough of it— in short, anyone who does not slot into neat little boxes. It is, of course, aimed at trans and non- binary people—and it is as an utterly unapologetic trans ally that I speak this afternoon—but the collateral damage goes much further. We, in the Scottish Greens, have not changed, and there are others here this afternoon who have not changed either.”
“Service providers knew it didn’t work—ultimately lots of them did and do want to know how they can help and support us. And courts knew it didn’t work—not only that it didn’t work, but that it breached our human rights or meant that we faced discrimination. So many of the legal rights we have today come directly from court judgements—that say we have a right to live our lives and be recognised in line with our gender identity.”
“Members, please! We will hear with courtesy and respect the member who has the floor. That is Maggie Chapman. Please continue, Ms Chapman. Maggie Chapman: Thank you, Presiding Officer. Scottish Trans explains: “it is not a new idea to insist that trans people should be treated in line with our biological sex at birth by services, public bodies, and when we participate in public life. Historically, this is exactly how trans people were treated, and it meant that we could not go to work safely, use services that met our needs, or use public spaces freely. It meant that we experienced even higher levels of discrimination, harassment and abuse. Our lives were worse, and smaller, and we were hidden away from wider society. It didn’t work. Trans people knew it didn’t work. Our families and friends knew it didn’t work.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament acknowledges that, in Scotland, additional support needs (ASN) is a term used to describe the requirements for an estimated 190,000 children and young people, or 26.6% of all school pupils, who require extra help to reach their full learning potential; believes that ASN can include having motor or sensory impairments, learning difficulties such as dyslexia, English as an additional language or a myriad of emotional and social difficulties; notes that all schools have a duty to provide appropriate support and that this requirement was laid out in the Education (Additional Support for Learning) Scotland Act 2004; further notes that the Additional Support for Learning: Statutory Guidance 2017 sets out that schools have a number of responsibilities to support pupils who have ASN, such as making adequate and efficient provision for the support required, publishing, reviewing and updating specified information about their ASN policy, providing the parents of the pupils with all of the information that they are required to publish, providing, where needed, co-ordinated support plans for the pupils, and keeping this under regular review, and providing independent and free mediation services for parents and pupils, including publishing information about these services; believes that, with the right resources and focus, schools and further education settings, including those in Stirling and Clackmannanshire, can create a whole-school environment with an emphasis on inclusion and cooperation and delivering high aspirations; further believes that social and emotional skills programmes, which aim to build resilience through learning or coordinated support plans, can build skills step by step to bring success and give pupils with ASN a chance to test their skills out and receive encouragement and feedback, developing inclusiveness that can be encouraged through good quality health and wellbeing lessons, promoting relationships and diversity, supporting pupils to feel accepted and to belong; believes that, in addition to myriad other ambitions, they can help to deal with, and reduce, bullying and discrimination, and notes the calls that, in order for all pupils with ASN to benefit in full from their education, the support that they receive should be tailored to meet their individual needs and build on their strengths to help them overcome any difficulties that they experience.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-15955, in the name of Alexander Stewart, on additional support needs in Scotland. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons.”
“I move amendment S6M-16750.4, to leave out from “notes” and insert: “recognises that there are significant cost of living pressures in the UK and globally; further recognises the impact that rising energy bills have for families and communities across Scotland; welcomes the recent announcement by the UK Labour administration that it is expanding the £150 Warm Home Discount scheme so that 220,000 more Scottish households receive help to reduce energy costs; further welcomes the other support delivered by the UK Labour administration, including an extra £41 million in funding this past winter for the Scottish Government and delivering a record budget settlement for Scotland; demands that the Scottish Government works to urgently introduce greater support in the short term and accelerate insulating and decarbonising homes to bring down energy bills in the long term, and calls on the Scottish Government to deliver the policies that the Scottish Labour Party is calling for, such as scrapping peak rail fares, delivering affordable housing and keeping council tax low while boosting Scotland’s energy security through its sprint to clean power to keep bills low.” The Deputy Presiding Officer: I remind members that, at this point, we have a fair bit of time in hand.”
“The UK Government is ensuring that the state pension will rise by £470 and that the debt repayment rate for Scottish families who are in receipt of universal credit will increase, on average, by £450 a year. We rehearsed many of those issues in the debate about the economy last week. It is clear that we are talking about a very serious issue. It calls for the two Governments to be willing to work together to ensure that we have energy security and that we bring down people’s bills in the long term.”
“I met it just last week to discuss many of the issues, and it said to me that fuel poverty cannot be considered to be unique and separate from general poverty or from the work that we have to do more widely to tackle all facets of poverty. There is a discussion to be had on what we can do about energy bills specifically, but that issue cannot be separated from the wider discussion. I am proud of the work that the UK Government has undertaken to support that vision. The increase in the national living wage will result in a pay rise for 200,000 of the lowest-paid Scots, and the Employment Rights Bill will ensure rights for workers in well-paid and secure work.”
“Proposals were set out just yesterday to reduce energy rates for communities that accept the need for new and upgraded pylons being sited near them, to ensure that the communities benefit from building the infrastructure that will be absolutely necessary in order to ensure energy sufficiency. Those are just some examples that reflect the importance of ensuring our energy security, which can bring down bills in the long term, which is what the Labour Government pledged to do. The cabinet secretary and Liz Smith touched in their opening remarks on the wider issues that exist in relation to the cost of living. It was welcome that we heard about the extra funding that will be provided to the Wise Group.”
“Paul O’Kane: The cabinet secretary is shouting at me from a sedentary position, but she could not answer any of the questions that I put to her. I am trying to say that ensuring that we have a strong energy mix and keeping the lights on are important to bill payers and will, in fact, keep bills down. It really is time that the Government considered its position on many of those issues. Since the general election, the UK Labour Government has started long-term work to secure our energy future and the energy market. Last week, we heard the announcement of funding for expansion of Port of Cromarty Firth, so that it can make floating offshore wind turbines on site in the UK for the first time.”
“There is quite a bit of time in hand, but it is up to the member. Paul O’Kane: I will finish my point, if the cabinet secretary will allow me, because she might want to respond to it. The Berwick Bank approvals have sat delayed on ministers’ desks for years, the Government has failed to deliver on its commitment to create a publicly owned energy company and it is selling off the sea bed on the cheap in the latest round of ScotWind options. Perhaps Gillian Martin will comment on some of that. Gillian Martin: I do not really want to comment, because I am making an intervention to ask Paul O’Kane a question. Will more nuclear power being generated in Scotland bring down the bills of people in Scotland? Paul O’Kane: I think that keeping the lights on is an important point— Gillian Martin: That is a no, then.”
“The next item of business is a cross- committee debate on the people’s panel report on reducing drug harm and deaths in Scotland. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 15:19”
“The next item of business is portfolio questions on net zero, energy and transport. As always, I call for brief questions, brief supplementaries and brief answers, in order to get in as many members as possible. Question 1 has been withdrawn. Net Zero Emissions Target 2.”
“[Applause.] Motion debated, That the Parliament renews its solidarity with the people of Ukraine, three years on from what it understands was Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022; praises the bravery and resilience of the Ukrainian people as, it believes, they continue to resolutely defend their sovereign nation from Russian aggression; condemns absolutely the reported war crimes that have been committed in Ukraine by the regime of Vladimir Putin; notes the support for the European Parliament resolution of 23 January 2025, which called on the Russian Federation to immediately terminate all military activities and withdraw from Ukraine; welcomes the news that European neighbours, including the Baltic states, have made what it sees as significant progress in detaching themselves from dependence on Russian energy; reinforces Scotland’s place among the democratic nations of Europe in their support for Ukraine against what it considers is Russian authoritarianism; notes that a reported over 28,000 displaced people have arrived in the UK from Ukraine with a sponsor in Scotland, and that over 21,000 of them came through the Scottish Government’s Super Sponsor Scheme; praises the hard work and compassion of communities, including in Midlothian North and Musselburgh, as they welcome displaced Ukrainian people to settle in Scotland; considers that these Ukrainian people have made a rich contribution to Scotland’s communities; notes the support for a warm Scottish future for displaced Ukrainian people, including through continued investment by the Scottish Government and local authorities in longer- term resettlement for displaced Ukrainians; further notes the call on the UK Government to provide security and clarity through further extensions to the Homes for Ukraine schemes, as well as provide the fair and proportionate allocation of “thank you” payments to hosts in Scotland, and celebrates what it believes has been Scotland’s long history of solidarity with displaced people, refugees and asylum seekers from around the world.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16524, in the name of Colin Beattie, on three years of solidarity with Ukraine. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to- speak buttons. Before I call Colin Beattie to open the debate, I welcome the consul general of Ukraine to the public gallery.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16667, in the name of Kate Forbes, on achieving a fair balance in the United Kingdom economy. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 14:51”
“To ask the Scottish Government how it is facilitating direct links with markets to promote economic development. (S6O-04380)”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16595, in the name of Kate Forbes, on increasing investment in Scotland. I invite all members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak buttons. 15:27”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament believes that there are approximately 100 park home residential sites across Scotland, including in the Mid Scotland and Fife region, and that these contain more than 8,000 residents, with a typical residency of pensioners and retirees; further believes that park homes are a growing component of the housing stock; notes that residents own their park home and associated structure, but not the land that the park home is located on, and understands that the average cost of such homes varies between £90,000 and £250,000; recognises that there are reported concerns about park homes being mis-sold as main residencies despite site owners only having holiday licences, which leaves occupiers vulnerable to eviction; applauds the work of the Scottish Confederation of Park Home Residents Association (SCOPHRA) in raising awareness of the legal issues facing park home residents in Scotland and in protecting its members, and acknowledges SCOPHRA’s reported calls for action on crucial areas such as including the organisation in the planning approval process for park home sites, supporting local authorities with proper training regarding park home legislation, and providing support for adaptations to park homes to aid those with disabilities and health conditions.”
“I ask guests in the gallery who are leaving the chamber to do so quickly and quietly because we are going back into session. The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-15739, in the name of Murdo Fraser, on protection of park home residents. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to- speak buttons.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16572, in the name of Mark Ruskell, on cheaper rail fares. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to- speak buttons. 15:59”
“It would be inappropriate and ineffective to create a backdoor system to arms regulation in Scotland. The Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr Cole- Hamilton, you need to conclude. Alex Cole-Hamilton: Although I understand that that is not the aim of the Greens’ motion, I fear that it would be the outcome. 15:17”
“No—there is no time in hand. Alex Cole-Hamilton: I am afraid that I cannot take an intervention, on this occasion. Scottish Liberal Democrats helped to force the introduction of new rules. However, in 2022, they then uncovered that at least 49 public bodies in Scotland were still unaware of the Scottish human rights tests, following those deals. That is a very strange and outrageous place to be, and the bodies included Crown Estate Scotland, which has just run the massive ScotWind auction. We therefore have concerns about how robust the due diligence checks are, in practice. However, we must also recognise that defence is a reserved matter. It is for the UK Government to set the rules on arms exports, and to ensure that the system is robust and that we are meeting our international obligations.”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament recognises that the week of 24 February to 2 March is Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025, and that the theme is that anyone can be affected by an eating disorder; understands that eating disorders affect at least one in 50 people across Scotland, including people of all ages, genders and backgrounds, with anorexia nervosa having a higher mortality rate than any other mental health condition, and that there is a range of recognised eating disorders; further understands that the sooner someone is treated for an eating disorder, the better their chance of making a full recovery, but that people too often delay seeking help due to perceived stigma and misconceptions about who can develop an eating disorder; welcomes the work of Beat, a UK-wide charity supporting people living with eating disorders and their families; understands that Beat continues to provide help across Scotland through funding from the Scottish Government; notes what it sees as the importance of protecting vital eating disorder services during the current fiscal challenges, and further notes the calls encouraging anyone in Scotland concerned about an eating disorder to contact their GP surgery and reach out to Beat on 0808 801 0432 or at beateatingdisorders.org.uk.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-15868, in the name of Emma Harper, on eating disorders awareness week 2025. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.”
“I concede that the Government has announced some concessions as part of the budget negotiations, and some of the new expenditure is welcome, but more money for hospices, the £25 million for Grangemouth and the money that was announced today for the University of Dundee could have been part of a more sensible— [Interruption.] Craig Hoy: Mr Swinney, it could have been part of a more sensible and sustainable budget.”
“There is no time in hand. Craig Hoy: I do not have time—I have taken several interventions. The Finance and Public Administration Committee has raised serious concerns about the clear lack of a sustainable and strategic plan for Scotland’s public services. The SNP has also been criticised for failing to publish key financial plans, although we welcome the announcement of the medium-term fiscal strategy on 29 May. However, we hope that that is both realistic and robust.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16532, in the name of Angela Constance, on an independent review of sentencing and penal policy. 15:12”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament believes that the total unitary charge payments associated with Public Private Partnership/Private Finance Initiative (PPP/PFI) contracts that were paid across the public sector in Scotland from 2006-07 to 2022-23 amounted to £14.173 billion; understands that PFI/PPPs are long-term contractual arrangements between a public sector entity and a private sector provider, which were introduced by the Conservative UK administration in 1992 and then expanded by Labour following its 1997 election victory; believes that the total PFI and PPP unitary charge payments to be paid across the public sector in Scotland in 2025-26 will be £1.25 billion, the highest in a single year, with the remaining cost associated with PFI/PPP being £14.699 billion from 2023- 24; understands that, by 2038, North Ayrshire Council will have paid £440.1 million for four schools that were built for £83 million; notes that research carried out by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research shows that successive UK administrations have made payments to private companies associated with PFI contracts at, on average, more than three times the cost of construction, with said companies distributing £300 million in dividends to investors from £1 billion in profits between 2005 and 2022; recognises that the scheme was abandoned by the UK Government in 2018, 11 years after being replaced with an alternative model known as non-profit distributing (NPD) by the Scottish Government to limit excessive private sector profits; notes with concern media reports that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, is considering relaunching the PPP funding model frequently used by Tony Blair’s Labour administration; considers PFI/PPP to have had a disastrous impact on Scotland’s public finances, and notes the calls for the UK Government to end what it sees as its obsession with PFI/PPP.”
“The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16287, in the name of Kenneth Gibson, on the on-going impact of PFI/PPP on Scotland’s public finances. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16511, in the name of Kate Forbes, on protecting the powers of the Scottish Parliament. I invite those members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to- speak buttons. 15:26”
“To ask the Scottish Government when it last met the director of the Fife health and social care partnership, and what was discussed. (S6O- 04326)”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16488, in the name of Tom Arthur, on employer national insurance contributions. 15:47”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16346, in the name of Alasdair Allan, on a legislative consent motion on the Great British Energy Bill, which is United Kingdom legislation. I invite members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to-speak button. 17:01”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament notes the publication of the Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems’ paper, Alcohol (In)justice: Position on people with an alcohol use disorder in the justice system; is concerned that it is estimated that almost two-thirds, 63%, of people in prison have an alcohol use disorder, with almost half of those, 31%, possibly dependent on alcohol; is further concerned that the risk of death from alcohol causes is three times higher in men and nine times higher for women who have been in prison than for the general population; understands that the paper sets out why and how people with alcohol use disorders who come into contact with the justice system should have the best opportunities to access treatment and support, and that this could reduce reoffending and pressures on the justice system, tackle inequalities, improve the health and lives of the people concerned and the lives of their families and wider communities; believes that there are examples of innovative practice across Scotland, including Glasgow’s Alcohol Court; acknowledges that the paper further sets out several potential standards that could be implemented across the justice system, and understands that accountability for such standards is required in order to make a difference to the health and lives of people in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley and across Scotland with alcohol problems who are being dealt with by the justice system.”
“The next item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-15657, in the name of Elena Whitham, on a report on alcohol use disorder in the justice system. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.”
“The next item of business is a debate on motion S6M-16330, in the name of Jenny Gilruth, on addressing child poverty through education. 15:18”
“To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the finance secretary has had with NHS Fife regarding the revised infrastructure investment pipeline. (S6O-04293)”
“Motion debated, That the Parliament notes the publication of Dr Jim Swire’s book, The Lockerbie Bombing, A Father’s Search for Justice, which has been serialised on television; recognises what it sees as Dr Swire’s painful but steady commitment to uncovering the facts behind the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which, shortly after 7.00 pm on 21 December 1988, was destroyed by a bomb over the town of Lockerbie, killing all 243 passengers, 16 crew and 11 Lockerbie residents, a total of 270 fatalities, including his much loved daughter, Flora; understands that Dr Swire, with many others, considers that the conviction of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, under Scots law at Camp Zeist, is insecure; believes that the failure of subsequent Scottish courts to allow any appeal, despite two referrals by the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission, on the grounds that there may have been a miscarriage of justice, gives concern; notes the view that, until there is a full and independent inquiry and full disclosure at a UK level into all aspects of this, the worst terrorist attack in the UK, the integrity of the conviction, and indeed Scots law, will remain in question, and commends Dr Jim Swire for never giving up on his search for the truth and for those responsible for the murder of his daughter and the other 269 people whose lives were so cruelly ended.”
“The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S6M-16005, in the name of Christine Grahame, on “The Lockerbie Bombing—A Father’s Search for Justice”. The debate will be concluded without any question being put. I invite those members who wish to speak in the debate to press their request-to- speak buttons.”
“On current trends, the Scottish budget will crumple under the weight of the welfare bill as a result of a political choice that has been taken by ministers. This is the wrong budget for Scotland. It fails to tackle waste or deliver reform, it fails to reverse damaging trends on welfare, and it fails to deliver growth. It will pass with the support of the Greens, Alba and the Liberal Democrats and because of the abject weakness of Scottish Labour, but it will not pass with our support. I agree with what Shona Robison said at the weekend. A dividing line has been drawn, and we know exactly where we stand in relation to our political opponents. We stand on the side of taxpayers, businesses and public services, and that is why we will vote against this rotten budget tonight. 14:59”