A red-faced MSP has been forced to make a grovelling apology after enjoying a fancy meal with Alex Salmond when she should have been in the parliamentary chamber.
The First Minister’s parliamentary aide Joan McAlpine missed asking a question about the impact of cases of osteoarthritis on the NHS on Thursday as she was eating lunch in Holyrood’s exclusive members’ restaurant.
It was the third time the backbench Nationalist had failed to make a scheduled appearance in the parliament.
The latest snub provoked a furious response from Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick, who demanded Ms McAlpine give a full ”explanation and apology”.
A chastened Ms McAlpine returned to the chamber and said: ”I wish to apologise sincerely for my absence from the chamber at health and wellbeing question time this afternoon.
”I realise that this is not the first time I have done this and I do understand the gravity of the matter. The fault is entirely mine I am afraid I completely lost track of time.
”I realise I have no excuse for not being present in the chamber when required. Again I apologise for showing such disrespect, not only to yourself, presiding officer, but also to parliament and to my fellow MSPs.”
The humiliating slap down will also embarrass Mr Salmond, who had been having lunch with Ms McAlpine while she was meant to be in the chamber.
She is understood to have had smoked venison with Strathdon blue cheese dressing and poached red wine pear, followed by breast of Scottish chicken with grilled asparagus chorizo, olives and Parma ham.