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Labour backs Holyrood post delay Start of new parliament postponed
(20 minutes later)
Scottish Labour has backed a move to hold off electing a new Holyrood presiding officer until next week. The new presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament will not be elected until next week, it has been announced.
MSPs are due to be sworn in on Wednesday, but Holyrood must elect a presiding officer at its first meeting. MSPs will be sworn in on Wednesday, but Holyrood must elect a presiding officer at its first meeting.
Labour leader Jack McConnell also said he had not considered whether he should step down, after the SNP became the largest party after the election. The MSP who takes up the position cannot vote in parliament and this is said to be causing issues for the parties following the election result.
Mr McConnell said Nationalist leader Alex Salmond still had to prove he had the "maturity of leadership". A motion is to be put forward which will allow the Scottish Parliament to meet on 14 May.
Out-going Presiding Officer George Reid said: "After discussion with the main parties it has been agreed that parliament will vote on a motion to adjourn the first meeting until next Monday afternoon.
We support the suggestion that the presiding officer election should be delayed until Monday Jack McConnellScottish Labour leader
"Given the election result, it is right that members have enough time to consider nominations for prospective candidates."
The election saw the SNP win 47 seats in the 129-member parliament, one seat more than Labour.The election saw the SNP win 47 seats in the 129-member parliament, one seat more than Labour.
We are not going to say at this stage that we are withdrawing entirely from the process of forming a new government Jack McConnellScottish Labour Leader The Scottish Tories have 17 seats, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have 16 and the Greens two.
The Scottish Tories have 17 seats, the Scottish Liberal Democrats have 16 and the greens two. Scottish Labour Leader Jack McConnell said party MSPs had not taken a decision on whether one of their number should make a bid to become presiding officer.
The tight result has raised issues over deciding on a successor to George Reid as presiding officer, as the MSP who takes up the position cannot vote in parliament. "We support the suggestion that the presiding officer election should be delayed until Monday to give the parliament time to select the right person," he said.
Speaking after a meeting of the new Labour parliamentary group, Mr McConnell said party MSPs had not taken a decision on whether one of their number should make a bid to become presiding officer. Jack McConnell has backed the postponement
He said: "We support the suggestion that the presiding officer election should be delayed until Monday to give the parliament time to select the right person.
"That's a sensible move given that George Reid is in position until that election takes place.""That's a sensible move given that George Reid is in position until that election takes place."
He added: "I think it would be accurate to say that there are many members of the group who feel that the new presiding officer should come from one of the smaller parties." Mr McConnell added: "I think it would be accurate to say that there are many members of the group who feel that the new presiding officer should come from one of the smaller parties."
Independent Margo MacDonald, who was re-elected, has also considered putting her name forward for the position. Independent Margo MacDonald, who was re-elected, has considered putting her name forward for the position.
Mr McConnell, who is still first minister, said the SNP had the right and the responsibility to seek to form an administration. Under the Scotland Act, parliament must meet within seven days of an election, making the current deadline 15 May.
MSPs must elect a new presiding officer to succeed George Reid Parliament will also be tasked with electing deputy presiding officers.
But he added: "Should they fail to do so, then clearly as the second largest party, we will take any decision at that time in the best interests of Scotland.
"We are not going to say at this stage that we are withdrawing entirely from the process of forming a new government."
Mr McConnell went on: "There is still a challenge for Alex Salmond to prove that he has the maturity of leadership and the character to win the support of the parliament."
Commenting on his own future, he added: "I don't want to make any move which would be disruptive for the parliament, disruptive for the country or would see us move backwards from the progress that I think has been made during my time as first minister."