First Minister to be questioned by MSPs on plans to ease lockdown

Opposition leaders and backbench MSPs will be given the opportunity to question Nicola Sturgeon on her proposed route map out of coronavirus lockdown.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh has confirmed the First Minister has agreed to go to Holyrood and answer questions on her plans and next steps for dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also revealed a total of 90 minutes has been set aside for the session in the Scottish Parliament.

While the First Minister has been revealing details of how the Scottish Government is dealing with coronavirus in daily briefings to the media, opposition MSPs were “incensed” proposals over the easing of lockdown restrictions could be made public in this way.

Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh revealed the issue was raised with the Scottish Government at a meeting of the Scottish Parliament's business bureau - the body that determines Holyrood's timetable.

Mr Macintosh said it has been agreed the First Minister will make a statement to the chamber at 12.30pm on Thursday.

“There will be an hour and half put aside for questions from partly leaders and all members,” he said.

Mr Macintosh had earlier told MSPs he is “very, very strict” on making sure major announcements on Scottish Government policy are made first to Parliament.

He said the “point has been very much made to the Government” that party business managers “expect major announcements to be made for the benefit of all members”.

His comments came MSPs questioned Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham on when recycling centres could be open and asked Education Secretary John Swinney about when Scotland's pupils could return to the classroom.

Both Mr Swinney and Ms Cunningham said more will be known after the route map is revealed on Thursday.

But Green MSP Andy Wightman said: “My understanding is we're not meeting on Thursday, my understanding is that she (Roseanna Cunningham) was referring to a press conference that will be happening on Thursday.”

He asked the Presiding Officer what conversations are taking place with ministers to “ensure that important announcements of public policy are conveyed to Parliament before they are conveyed to the media”.

After Mr Macintosh said a virtual statement, with questions from party leaders afterwards, is being considered, Labour's Neil Findlay said: “This Parliament exists for all members, not just for leaders ... but for backbenchers also.”

That point was echoed by Conservative MSP Graham Simpson, who said: “I am quite incensed by what I am hearing today.

“The Government answers to the whole of the Parliament, if they are making announcements like this it should be to the whole of the Parliament and the whole of the Parliament should have the opportunity to question them, not just leaders.”

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