Holyrood ‘not able’ to light up in colours of Ukraine

LIGHTING up the Scottish Parliament in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag could be a “prohibitive” expense, MSPS have been told.

Holyrood’s cross-party management body said it didn’t have the right equipment to do it at present and it could be too dear to hire it.

The main Scottish Government building near the Parliament, St Andrew’s House, has already been illuminated in blue and yellow to show solidarity with Ukraine’s struggle.

At Holyrood, SNP MSP John Mason aksed if the same could be done at the Parliament at night.

Responding for the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB), Labour MSP Claire Baker said the Ukrainian flag had been flown outside the building since February 28 and MSPS had held a debate on the crisis.

However, she added: “Unfortunately, the Parliament does not have the technical infrastructure to illuminate the building at this point in time.”

Mr Mason asked the SPCB to reconsider, saying lighting public building was a common way make a statement.

But Ms Baker said the Parliament had to consider the cost, as it had found out when lighting the Parliament in the past with Poppyscotland.

She said: “We want to ensure that any displays that we do are respectful to the organisation concerned.

“There are some technical difficulties with lighting this building – its construction and design make it difficult to project things on to it – but we are happy to look at it again.

“The costs seemed prohibitive, but I take on board John Mason’s comments about the need for Parliament to show connection with certain organisations. Lighting up the building is an effective way to do it.”

Many MSPS also wear blue and yellow clothes to show solidarity .