Rennie: There must be serious sanctions for MSP misconduct

Speaking as the recall petition for Margaret Ferrier draws to a close, Scottish Liberal Democrat communities spokesperson Willie Rennie MSP emphasised the need to introduce a system of recall for the Scottish Parliament, which has fallen behind Westminster after it established recall back in 2015.  

Mr Rennie said:  

“With a recall by-election on the cards in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, I think a lot of Scots will be looking at the Scottish Parliament and wondering why there is no similar system in place to let them have their say.  

“Scandal-bound MSPs can sit on the backbenches claiming a full salary for years until the next election comes around without the voters having a say.

“The Scottish Parliament should have serious sanctions for people who behave inappropriately and a route map for how to sack MSPs in cases of proven misconduct.  

“We cannot be the only workplace in the country where there are no rules. Even the UK Parliament has had legislation applying to the recall of MPs since 2015.  

“After parliamentary scandals involving MSPs like Bill Walker, I set out the principles that I believe should govern such a system, even addressing the Standards Committee on this matter, but I have been frustrated by the lack of willingness on the part of the Scottish Government to do anything more than mouth platitudes.  

“There must be consequences for politicians and the decision about whether someone is fit for post should ultimately rest with the people who put them there.”