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MSP pay debate to go ahead despite Patrick Harvie objection MSP pay debate goes ahead despite Patrick Harvie objection
(about 1 hour later)
An emergency debate on a cut to the pay of MSPs who end up in jail will go ahead in Holyrood despite an objection. An emergency debate on a cut to the pay of MSPs who end up in jail has gone ahead in Holyrood despite an objection.
The motion was lodged following the case of Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker who was convicted of 23 domestic abuse charges.The motion was lodged following the case of Dunfermline MSP Bill Walker who was convicted of 23 domestic abuse charges.
He initially resisted calls to go but stepped down on Saturday.He initially resisted calls to go but stepped down on Saturday.
The objection came from Green MSP Patrick Harvie who questioned why the measure was still being put through as an emergency motion.The objection came from Green MSP Patrick Harvie who questioned why the measure was still being put through as an emergency motion.
He believed that in light of Walker's departure, the parliament should have been considering a wider range of options.He believed that in light of Walker's departure, the parliament should have been considering a wider range of options.
But the move was defended by Parliamentary Business Minister Joe Fitzpatrick who said the bureau had unanimously agreed to take forward the debate.But the move was defended by Parliamentary Business Minister Joe Fitzpatrick who said the bureau had unanimously agreed to take forward the debate.
The majority of MSPs agreed that the emergency debate should still take place.The majority of MSPs agreed that the emergency debate should still take place.
Electoral law, which is reserved to Westminster, states that MSPs can only be ejected from Holyrood if they are sentenced to more than a year in prison.Electoral law, which is reserved to Westminster, states that MSPs can only be ejected from Holyrood if they are sentenced to more than a year in prison.
In a summary trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Walker was convicted of a string of domestic abuse offences against his ex-wives and step-daughter.In a summary trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Walker was convicted of a string of domestic abuse offences against his ex-wives and step-daughter.
However, the court only has power to imprison him for up to a year when he is sentenced on 20 September, which would have given him the option of continuing as an MSP.However, the court only has power to imprison him for up to a year when he is sentenced on 20 September, which would have given him the option of continuing as an MSP.
Proposals to dock imprisoned MSPs' pay had already been presented by the Scottish Parliament corporate body (SPCB).Proposals to dock imprisoned MSPs' pay had already been presented by the Scottish Parliament corporate body (SPCB).
A Scottish Parliament spokesman said the amendment to the Scottish Parliament salaries scheme would still be tabled despite Walker's resignation.
Announcing the amendment to MSPs last Thursday, Holyrood Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick said: "The SPCB is strongly persuaded by the proposition that any member who is unable to carry out their full range of functions as a result of being imprisoned should not receive their full salary.Announcing the amendment to MSPs last Thursday, Holyrood Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick said: "The SPCB is strongly persuaded by the proposition that any member who is unable to carry out their full range of functions as a result of being imprisoned should not receive their full salary.
"From reviewing the core functions of a member as set out in the SPCB paper, we recommend that 90% of salary should be withheld for the duration of imprisonment."From reviewing the core functions of a member as set out in the SPCB paper, we recommend that 90% of salary should be withheld for the duration of imprisonment.
"In recommending this course of action to parliament, it should be made clear we do not seek to encroach upon the role of the courts. Our approach should in no way be interpreted as a punishment; that is for the courts.""In recommending this course of action to parliament, it should be made clear we do not seek to encroach upon the role of the courts. Our approach should in no way be interpreted as a punishment; that is for the courts."