Cole-Hamilton lodges amendment on child protection safeguards for MSPs

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today begun the process of tightening up the rules for MSPs to work with children and vulnerable people.

In Scotland, Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) checks are a legal requirement for anyone with a regulated role, including teachers, social workers and sports coaches.

Failing these checks could mean being barred from regulated roles with children, regulated roles with adults or from both types of regulated roles. However, an MSP is not a regulated role and so members do not have to complete PVG checks.

Alex Cole-Hamilton has now lodged an amendment to the Scottish Parliament (Recall and Removal of Members) Bill. This would make provision for a review within one year of the bill’s passing about whether further legislation is needed to remove MSPs if they have been barred from regulated roles with children, adults or both.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“This important amendment would begin the process for making sure MSPs are subject to the same scrutiny and checks as everyone else entrusted to work with children and vulnerable adults.

“We can’t wait for something terrible to happen before we act. Most people are shocked to learn that these checks don't already exist for members of parliament.

"For too long, Scottish politics has relied on parties and individuals self-policing. I believe parliament ought to safeguard against the threat of people working in politics using their status to manipulate, target and exploit vulnerable people.

“I urge my colleagues to do the right thing, get behind my amendment and make sure we take steps towards making this parliament a safe place for everyone to be.”