Trade deal protester escorted from the building

A PROTESTER was escorted from the Scottish Parliament after dramatically interrupting a debate on a European Union-US trade deal.

Holyrood proceedings were suspended briefly after a woman began shouting from the public gallery as MSPs discussed the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), which aims to remove barriers between the EU and the US.

Supporters say the trade deal would make it easier to buy and sell goods and services as well as opening up markets, but critics fear it poses a threat to public services, particularly the health service.

The intervention came shortly after Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor said it would be ‘Luddite’ to reject the deal.

He was interrupted after telling MSPs that TTIP “would deliver up £10 billion per year to the British economy, unshackle business from red tape, trade tariffs and other obstacles to free trade and the prosperity that this can deliver.”

Deputy presiding officer Elaine Smith was forced to suspend proceedings as the woman began shouting criticism of TTIP over him.

She was escorted from the chamber by security staff to a round of applause from members of the public in the gallery.

A spokesman for the Scottish Parliament said: “There was a short disturbance in the gallery resulting in a female being escorted out of the building by police officers.”

Continuing his speech, Mr McGrigor said: “It’s important that we do not succumb to these myths and anti-American sentiments that sometimes are evident in this country.”