A banned MSP has hit out at the decision to suspend him from Holyrood and called for reforms of the Scottish Parliament.
Labour’s Michael McMahon was not allowed into the chamber for one day after branding Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick ”out of order”.
He said he apologised for his outburst on three occasions before claiming Holyrood’s integrity was being ”called into question” and that the rules of Parliament should be looked at again.
He added that, while he was wrong to shout out in the chamber on Thursday, he did not believe the punishment was proportionate.
”I certainly do not believe that its justification stands comparison with those who have previously been suspended and I believe that it is wrong for Government ministers to mislead Parliament free of any punishment,” he said.
In a statement to the chamber, Ms Marwick said it was imperative that the authority of the chair is respected at all times, but that Mr McMahon had shown ”gross discourtesy and disrespect”.
She added: ”As presiding officer, I will support to the limits of my power the conduct of parliamentary business in this chamber. I will, however, not tolerate behaviour that falls short of the standards that the people we are privileged to represent expect of us.”
Mr McMahon’s outburst came after it emerged the Parliament’s official report had to be corrected because the First Minister told MSPs there were about 18,000 people employed in renewable energy across Scotland, when the total is closer to 11,000.
The Tories raised the issue in Holyrood but there were protests when the presiding officer attempted to move on to the next item on the agenda, with Mr McMahon saying: ”You’re out of order”.
He apologised immediately but was summoned to Ms Marwick’s office after close of business and was later telephoned to be told of his punishment.
An SNP spokesman said: ”All Labour MSPs must now reflect on how their behaviour is being perceived by the wider public, and the leader Johann Lamont has to take responsibility for this unacceptable conduct.”
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