John Swinney has said it would be “dangerous” for him to intervene in the Scottish Parliament’s decision to restrict reporters’ access to question MSPs. The First Minister stated it would not be right for him to “regulate” the decisions of Holyrood bosses, asserting: “I don’t run the Parliament – I’m the servant of the Parliament.”
Background on the Media Pen
Last week, Holyrood officials introduced a so-called “media pen” that restricted reporters’ movements in the Members’ Lobby, a corridor between the main Chamber and the access to the Ministerial Tower and Garden Lobby. Journalists often wait in the Members’ Lobby as MSPs emerge from the Chamber following First Minister’s Questions (FMQs) to doorstep them for comments.
The parliamentary bureau said it decided to set up a designated spot for the media after “feedback from a range of building users and discussions with all parties.” However, the move has sparked a row over transparency and has been condemned by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), as well as Labour, the Tories, and the Liberal Democrats.
Swinney’s Stance
Asked whether the pen should continue, the First Minister refused to express an opinion. He told the Press Association: “It’s up to the Parliament. It’s not for me to regulate the decisions of the parliamentary authorities – I think that gets us into a dangerous place. I don’t run the Parliament – I’m a servant of the Parliament. I’m simply saying that I answer questions from journalists all the time. You know that. You ask me the questions, you get your answers, and I’m available for all these questions wherever and whenever the questions are asked.”
Mr Swinney stressed that he is “readily available” to answer questions after FMQs, which he does most weeks. He added: “I don’t think there is any difficulty or obstruction wherever journalists are located in Parliament of being able to ask me questions on a regular basis about what I think about this, that, or the other, and I’m always open and available for questioning, and always will be.”
Reactions from Political Leaders and Journalists
The NUJ described the move as “inexplicable” and warned it would “restrict legitimate scrutiny.” The union said it had written to the Holyrood Corporate Body calling for it to be overturned. The Scottish Parliamentary Journalists’ Association (SPJA), which represents reporters at Holyrood, said it was not consulted on the decision. In a letter to the presiding officer and the chief executive of the Parliament, it warned the move “creates a physical and symbolic barrier between elected representatives and those tasked with holding them to account.”
Reporters attempted to question Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson from the pen on Thursday, the day it was erected, but he refused to stop. Scottish Green leader Ross Greer suggested there was an issue with the behaviour of some journalists, saying as he passed the pen: “Have a word with some of your colleagues about their behaviour.” Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay condemned the move, physically removing one of the cords to break the barrier on Thursday afternoon. His colleague Craig Hoy said the restriction was “shocking” and a “clear attempt to curb the press.” Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, and Reform UK MSP Thomas Kerr also condemned the move.
Future of the Pen
The Scottish Parliament has been asked whether the pen will remain in place this week. The First Minister’s refusal to intervene highlights the ongoing tension between parliamentary authorities and the media over access and transparency at Holyrood.
