FM reprimand amid ‘rabble’

FIRST Minister’s Questions beamed live from Holyrood on BBC1 at noon, generally on a Thursday, has gradually degenerated into a bit of a rabble over the past weeks.

All too often Humza Yousaf goes off at a tangent when answering questions, only to be told by Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone: “Briefly, first minister”.

And so to last Thursday, when once again the presiding officer was overseeing proceedings in her official capacity.

On four occasions that particular day she had to intervene and tell those putting questions to the first minister “briefly” – and likewise on four other occasions she had to interrupt when the first minister exceeded reasonable time allowed to answer questions – something he is pretty adept at doing.

On one such occasion she reprimanded him in no uncertain terms for refusing to cease talking after she had ordered him to do so.

This left Mr Yousaf looking shocked, pale and speechless or one might compare it to a rabbit caught in the headlights.

Never for one moment did I believe Alison Johnstone was capable of reacting the way she did and to her I say “well done, keep up such performances”.

After delving into her background, I was mildly surprised to find she was a qualified athletics coach and board member of Scottish athletics.

Add to that she is a former East of Scotland women’s

800 and 1,500 metres record holder.

Impressive!

I wonder how many Tele readers knew these credentials about our presiding officer whose rating now, must surely have been enhanced, not only in my opinion but others too.