Storm as Scots carry on as if nothing had happened

Fury in Edinburgh Parliament as it takes an hour for business to be suspended – and Tories are even accused of using London attack to try to stif le independence debate

THE Scottish Parliament came under fire yesterday for allowing a debate about independence to run for more than an hour after the Westminster attack.

Calls from MSPs to suspend a debate about a second independence referendum were initially snubbed, before it was finally agreed to suspend business out of respect for the dead.

A senior SNP minister was accused of ‘disgraceful’ behaviour after she launched a furious attack on opposition MSPs when the suspension was confirmed.

Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said it was a ‘ disgrace’ that Scottish business was being suspended because of the attacks.

started pointing,’ he said. ‘EveryTurning to point at Tory MSPs, one just walked away from it and she allegedly said: ‘This is because some of her own colleagues calmed you didn’t want to talk about her down. independence.’ ‘I hope it was because she was

Scottish Conservative deputy not fully aware of events elsewhere leader Jackson Carlaw later took and will realise it was not her best to social media to slam her ‘absomoment.’ Another MSP said: ‘She lutely disgraceful conduct’, which was having a bit of a meltdown.’ he said was ‘totally unbecoming’. The second day of debate about

‘She started shouting it was a Nicola Sturgeon’s demand for the disgrace that [the independence right to hold an independence refdebate] was suspended. She erendum began at 2.40pm – just minutes after news first broke about the attack in London.

As news of the tragic incidents spread through the Holyrood chamber, some MSPs chose to walk out of the debate.

Parliamentary authorities met at around 3pm but decided that business should continue.

At 3.30pm Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser asked for the debate to be suspended, prompting groans from the SNP benches. His request was turned down by deputy presiding officer Linda Fabiani, who said MSPs must carry on with ‘business as usual’.

It is understood that Miss Sturgeon then intervened to instruct her parliamentary business minister Jo FitzPatrick, who had initially supported the decision to carry on, to call an emergency meeting and halt proceedings.

An hour and 20 minutes after news of the attack emerged, pre- siding officer Ken Macintosh finally announced a close to the debate because the events were ‘affecting the contribution of members’.

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale was preparing to ask her MSPs to walk out at the time.

Conservative Fin Carson was one of several politicians to walk out of the debate before it was suspended. Taking to Twitter, he said: ‘I can’t understand how this debate can go on. At least a suspension would have shown some respect.’

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said she was ‘very pleased that sense has won the day’.

In a statement last night, Miss Sturgeon said: ‘My thoughts are with everyone caught up in the dreadful incident at Westminster today, including the emergency services who responded bravely to ensure the safety of the many people nearby.’

A spokesman for Miss Cunningham said: ‘ Roseanna’s first thoughts are with all of those affected, and while she did initially take the view – shared by some from other parties – that business should not be suspended in the face of terrorism, she fully supports the decision, given the seriousness of events.’