MSPs to elect new deputy presiding officers at Holyrood

MSPs are set to elect two new deputy presiding officers at the Scottish Parliament.

It comes after Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone was elected to the position of presiding officer on Thursday.

She replaces Ken Macintosh, who is stepping down as an MSP, and who had held the position since 2016.

This afternoon, MSPs elected @AlisonJohnstone as Presiding Officer of @ScotParl for Session 6 of the Parliament.

You can find out more about the role of the Presiding Officer at https://t.co/ofDuu6gJK1 pic.twitter.com/twmBxjJfeF
— Scottish Parliament (@ScotParl) May 13, 2021

Nine MSPs are in the running for a deputy role – Clare Adamson (SNP), James Dornan (SNP), Annabelle Ewing (SNP), Stewart McMillan (SNP), Jeremy Balfour (Scottish Conservatives), Edward Mountain (Scottish Conservatives), Clare Baker (Scottish Labour), Rhoda Grant (Scottish Labour), and Liam McArthur (Scottish Liberal Democrats).

Each position is voted for individually, with MSPs needing a simple majority to be elected.

The role carries with it the same duties when acting in place of the presiding officer, such as chairing proceedings in the debating chamber.

However, unlike the presiding officer who has to renounce their party affiliation during their term, they are able to continue to support their party.

Another difference in the position from the presiding officer role is that they will still be able to take part in parliamentary business such as speaking in debates and voting – unless they are chairing proceedings.

The results of the election are expected to be announced on Friday afternoon.