SNP backbencher John Mason has said he is “almost certain” to step down at the next Holyrood election in 2026.
Speaking to Holyrood magazine, the MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, said he was 90-95% sure”.
He added: "I’m 65 now; I’ll be 68 at the next election. I think that may be time to retire. I’m almost certain.”
Mason also defended his controversial statements on abortion.
On Saturday, he was photographed participating in an anti-abortion protest in Edinburgh.
Pictures were posted online of the MSP and calls for the removal of the whip were also shared.
In March, Labour’s Monica Lennon also accused him of “hijacking” the Baby Loss Memorial Book unveiled by Nicola Sturgeon for those who have experienced a pregnancy or baby loss prior to 24 weeks.
At the time, Mason submitted a parliamentary motion which was blasted for the way in which it appeared to play down the pain women suffer when losing a baby in the early stages of pregnancy.
Mason also said in the interview: "We were making a commemoration for babies under 24 weeks whose parents wanted them and had had a miscarriage or stillbirth.
"When on the other hand, if I said in an abortion debate that a baby under 24 weeks was a baby, I will be shouted down and told that I shouldn’t even call it that.
“I’m not afraid of getting a reaction, I just feel on some of these subjects somebody has to speak out. Although I would rather it was a woman speaking.”
