An SNP politician has accused Labour of swaying Nationalist MSPs into voting against opt-out organ donation by making the debate too “party political”.
MSPs rejected a Labour member’s Transplantation Bill on Tuesday, which would have established a presumption in favour of organ donation in most cases.
The bill was kyboshed after an SNP amendment was supported by the majority of Holyrood members.
The rejection led to a round of finger-pointing between SNP and Labour camps, with both sides accusing the other of cynical politicking over the vote.
John Mason, the SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, blamed Labour’s Jackie Baillie for an overly political speech during the debate, which he said helped prompt “waverers” from the SNP into voting it down.
Disappointed that Organ Donation Bill defeated 59-56. Labour whipped & made debate too party political which lost support of some in SNP.
— John Mason (@JohnMasonMSP) February 9, 2016
He tweeted: “Disappointed that Organ Donation Bill defeated 59-56. Labour whipped & made debate too party political which lost support of some in SNP.”
@CaitsStott @JohnMasonMSP @SAUWS_Pres I genuinely disappointed John. My speech was not tribal and it asked members to put aside politics.
— Jackie Baillie (@jackiebmsp) February 9, 2016
Ms Baillie replied: “I genuinely disappointed John. My speech was not tribal and it asked members to put aside politics.”
Labour today produced a list of 24 SNP MSPs who it said had previously supported a soft opt-out system only to vote against the bill.
The SNP said Holyrood rejected it “due to fears over the practical implications of the proposals”.
Ministers have committed to holding a detailed consultation on increasing organ donation.