Labour MSP withdraws Sturgeon 'liar' remark
Neil Findlay branded Nicola Sturgeon at First Minister's Questions in a heated debate about income tax
A Labour MSP who branded Nicola Sturgeon a "liar" at first Minister's Questions has withdrawn the remark, saying instead that the SNP leader is "dishonest".
Neil Findlay had shouted the term at Ms Sturgeon as she took part in heated clashes at Holyrood, with the First Minister fiercely critical of Scottish Labour plans to increase income tax by 1p.
The Scottish Parliament's official report from the session later named Labour's Neil Findlay as the MSP responsible.
The Lothian MSP later came before the chamber to withdraw the remark, but then said he would substitute it with the term used by the First Minister - who had described Labour's plans for a tax rise as "dishonest" and "a con trick".
Mr Findlay, who was himself heckled as he spoke in the chamber, said: "Today at First Minister's Questions I made a comment I now understand to be unparliamentary. If that is the case I withdraw the comment attributed to me.
"However, at the same question time session, the First Minister described Labour's support for a modest tax increase on those earning over £20,000 to end the Government's austerity as 'dishonest ' and went on to accuse Labour of 'perpetrating a con trick'.
"I therefore withdraw the term attributed to me which the Parliament finds unparliamentary. I would instead substitute it with the term used by the First Minister."
Holyrood Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick said she would consider the matter further.
She told Mr Findlay: "You have been a member of this Parliament for almost five years. You know that the word liar - the word that you used at First Minister's Questions and was recorded by the independent official report - is unparliamentary.
"I note what you have said and I will consider the matter further."