Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Meeting date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Official Report 923KB pdf

Point of Order

On a point of order, Presiding Officer. On 12 March, when my party was holding party business on equalities, and I was sponsoring a round-table event entitled “The Power of Women’s Voices”, guests of the Scottish Parliament felt that they were treated with unjustified levels of suspicion. Upon entering the Parliament, one woman had her scarf, which was in the suffragette colours, confiscated. Another woman had her trouser waistband searched, and another had her bag turned out and was told that she could wear only one of her lapel badges. Another woman was told to remove her—

Sorry, Ms Gosal, but I will just stop you there. Just for clarity, a point of order relates to whether proper procedures are being or have been followed in our proceedings—it is regarding an item of business. I would be interested if the member could explain which rule she is referring to.

I have not got the rule. I am basically asking about how those women were treated. I have three questions to ask you, Presiding Officer.

Thank you, Ms Gosal. That is not a point of order, and it is not appropriate for the chair of parliamentary business to comment on any matters that are outwith the Parliament’s standing orders at this point. However, we can certainly discuss the issue outwith the chamber.

I have written to you, Presiding Officer.

I have not received your correspondence yet, Ms Gosal, but I look forward to receiving it.