Meeting of the Parliament [Draft] Business until 17:17

Meeting date: Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Official Report 934KB pdf

Presiding Officer’s Response

I wish to address issues that Mr Douglas Ross, MSP, raised in proceedings earlier. Notwithstanding Mr Ross’s disappointment at my decision regarding a question, standing orders require that all members in the Parliament respect the authority of the chair. Mr Ross’s discourteous comments fell short of that requirement, which is a discourtesy to the Parliament and to the chair.

I have an unprecedented record of selecting urgent questions regularly and often, requiring Scottish ministers to account for their actions in the chamber. I always act to ensure that as many members as possible have opportunities to scrutinise the Scottish Government and raise matters that they think are important.

I have regularly taken more topical questions than the slot might allow with ease, stretching that slot to the maximum; I have worked throughout this session to enable more members to put questions to the First Minister. I will continue to take those actions.

In my role, I am responsible for balancing the interests of all 128 members across the chamber and for managing parliamentary time effectively, according to our standing orders. In doing so, I act impartially and take account of the interests of all members equally. I ask Mr Ross to reflect on the comments that he made.