Holyrood to be recalled during summer for Covid updates

Holyrood will be recalled to allow Covid updates to be made to Parliament.

Holyrood to be recalled during summer for Covid updates iStock

The Scottish Parliament is to be recalled twice during the summer period for updates on Covid-19, it has been announced.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone confirmed that Holyrood will return on July 13 and August 3 to allow for statements to be made in Parliament regarding coronavirus, with scrutiny by MSPs.

The meetings of Parliament will be virtual, the Presiding Officer indicated.

The decision was made following consultation with business managers at the Scottish Parliament’s Bureau meeting, which includes Johnstone along with a member of parties or groupings with five or more MSPs.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Scottish Conservatives had called for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to make any Covid-19 statements in Parliament, rather than in televised broadcasts.

They said that ministers should “respect” Holyrood, rather than making such announcements on TV or via written statements.

Thursday had been the last day Parliament was due to sit until September, with recess scheduled for June 26 to August 29.

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