FMQs suspended

FMQs was suspended today when three SSP MSPs stood behind the First Minister with placards advocating the right to demonstrate at Gleneagles next week. This followed a question by Colin Fox, inviting Mr McConnell to support the right to demonstrate within earshot of the G8 leaders at Gleneagles next week. The First Minister's response:

"I support absolutely the right to legitimate peaceful protest. I expect to see that commitment given by Mr Fox too, and if any members of his party are involved in disruptive or dangerous activities next week that break the law I expect him to expel them from the Scottish Socialist Party."

Mr Fox repeated his question twice, only to get an equally dusty response from the First Minister on both occasions. A few minutes later, following a point of order on the same issue by Carolyn Leckie, the mini-demonstration began and Mr Reid, the presiding officer, suspended the sitting for lunch, some 5 minutes early.

Earlier, Nicola Sturgeon asked the First Minister, among other things, if he would attend the Make Poverty History march this weekend. Mr McConnell replied "I very much hope to be present on Saturday...". It seems surprising that he could not give a definitive answer, given that it is only two days ahead. Unfortunately, Ms Sturgeon did not follow it up in her subsequent questions. So we are left with the conundrum: is the First Minister going to participate in the march or not?