Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee

Meeting date: Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Official Report 606KB pdf

Convener

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the ninth meeting in 2023 of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. We have no apologies today, but we know that Rachael Hamilton is running a wee bit late and will join us as soon as she can.

Members will be aware that Joe FitzPatrick has resigned as convener of the committee following his appointment as Minister for Local Government Empowerment and Planning. For that reason, I will chair this part of the meeting in my capacity as deputy convener. I would like to put on record the committee’s thanks to Joe for his work and congratulations on his new role—we wish him well.

Under agenda item 1, the committee is invited to choose a new convener. The Parliament has agreed that only members of the Scottish National Party are eligible for nomination as convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. Do we have any nominations for convener?

I nominate Kaukab Stewart.

I second that.

Kaukab Stewart was chosen as convener.

Congratulations, Kaukab. I now hand over to you to chair the rest of the meeting.

Thank you very much, Maggie and everyone. I am sure that people will bear with me as I take on the role of committee convener for the first time. I also thank Joe FitzPatrick for all the work that he did and wish him well. I look forward to working with everybody.