DOUGLAS Ross was warned over “skirting close to” contempt of Parliament during the lengthy debate on the Gender Recognition Reform Bill.
MSPs are continuing to hear more than 150 amendments on the legislation, which aims to make it easier for transgender people to secure a gender recognition certificate.
Tories have been accused of attempting to “filibuster” proceedings in Holyrood over the last two days, with the session lasting beyond midnight on Tuesday night and the debate extended by several hours on Wednesday.
The party’s MSPs have put forward a number of point of orders and amendments in what opponents say is an effort to “delay” the passing of legislation.
On Wednesday, the Scottish Tory chief found himself in trouble with deputy presiding officer Liam McArthur as he was accused of “challenging the ruling of the presiding officer” – prompting applause in the Chamber.
Douglas Ross told to "sit down" and warned he is “skirting close to contempt of Parliament” by the Presiding Officer during the Scottish Parliament’s marathon debate on gender reform pic.twitter.com/E784X92l1J
— The National (@ScotNational) December 21, 2022
Ross stood to ask about a previous point of order from MSP Rachael Hamilton, concerning the Court of Session’s recent ruling on the definition of women, before asking for the GRR Bill debate to be moved into the New Year.
As Alison Johnstone had already addressed these issues, McArthur issued a warning and told him that business managers would meet shortly to discuss the timetabling of proceedings.
As he tried to continue speaking, McArthur said: “I have taken the point of order, if this is a repeat of the same point of order I have nothing further to add – and I would warn you that you are at risk of challenging the ruling of the Presiding Officer.”
The Moray MP kept speaking, but was told: “Mr Ross could you please resume your seat”.
Explaining his response again, McArthur told him: “On that basis it is time to move on,” he went on.
Ross had to be told again to sit down.
“If this is a different point I’ll invite you to make it Mr Ross, but I will stress very strongly that you are skirting close to, call it contempt of Parliament, by calling into question a ruling by the Presiding Officer,” the deputy PO said after Ross insisted he was merely looking for information, not challenging a ruling.
The MP rose to his feet again to ask the same question again but denied that he was challenging the ruling, to which McArthur told him there was “nothing new” in his additional statement.
