Scottish Parliament in transparency row for ‘inhibiting’ access to MSPs

A transparency row has broken out at the Scottish Parliament following moves to restrict journalist access to politicians after First Minister’s Questions.

A barrier was put in place by parliamentary authorities on Thursday ahead of opposition party leaders' opportunity to quiz the first minister.

The Scottish Parliamentary Journalists Association (SPJA) has warned that the move “creates a physical and symbolic barrier between elected representatives and those tasked with holding them to account”.

The Scottish Parliament has said the decision was taken “following feedback from a range of building users” and after discussion with all political parties. Journalists were not consulted.

Journalists often gather at the end of FMQs to quiz politicians of all parties on the stories of the day.

It is understood that the decision to create a ‘pen’ was taken at the parliamentary bureau meeting. It follows concerns about journalists doorstepping politicians and allegedly blocking the area.

But in a letter to the presiding officer and the chief executive of the parliament, the SPJA said the barrier “risks undermining the ability of accredited journalists to scrutinise elected representatives on behalf of the public”.

Seeking a “full explanation” for the decision, the SPJA has asked about the nature of any complaint leading to the introduction of the barrier. The parliament has not confirmed which party made the complaint.

The letter continued: “The Scottish Parliament should be extremely cautious about introducing measures that inhibit face-to-face scrutiny of politicians within the parliamentary estate.

“Journalists are not bystanders within Parliament. They perform a vital democratic function. The ability to ask questions directly, in real time and without prior arrangement is often the difference between meaningful accountability and managed communication.”

It has called for the policy to be “reviewed as a matter of urgency”.

The move has been dubbed a “shocking development” by the Scottish Conservatives, while the Scottish Lib Dems said the decision was “wrong”.

Tory MSP Craig Hoy said: “Journalists should not be prevented from questioning politicians, whatever party they are from, and holding them to account… This clear attempt to curb the press will also only help John Swinney and the SNP who have a dire track record on transparency and are currently desperate to avoid questions on their sleaze and scandal engulfing them.”

Hoy attempted to raise the matter in a point of order following FMQs, but Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson would not allow him to finish his remarks.

Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: “Corralling the media behind barriers is wrong. Journalists should be able to ask questions freely of elected members of parliament.”

Scottish Labour’s Anas Sarwar, speaking after FMQs, said doorstepping may make politicians “uncomfortable” but the ability to ask questions was a “fundamental part of our democracy”.

First Minister John Swinney refused to make any comment, saying it was a matter for the parliament.

And the Greens said they did not have a position on the barrier’s introduction, though added they did not call for it nor were they involved in the decision to erect it.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “The decision was taken following feedback from a range of building users and discussion with all parties at the parliamentary bureau.”