Cole-Hamilton secures review of MSP child protection loophole

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP is set to amend the Recall Bill on Tuesday afternoon after securing government backing for a review into whether MSPs could be subject to child protection checks.

His amendment will put into law a requirement to hold a review within 18 months on whether further legislation is needed to remove MSPs if they have been barred from regulated roles with children, adults or both.

A former youth worker, Mr Cole-Hamilton first proposed changing the law in 2020 so that elected representatives join the hundreds of thousands of professionals and volunteers who are already subject to safeguarding legislation.

Alex Cole-Hamilton said:

“This review should be the first step towards introducing long overdue safeguards and closing this loophole.

"Parents should know that young people on work experience are with someone who can be trusted. Carers should know that vulnerable adults attending a casework surgery aren’t going to be left alone with someone who hasn’t undergone any independent vetting whatsoever. It can't be one rule for politicians and another for everyone else.

“As a former youth worker involved in implementing the original rules, I've long argued that there need to be measures in place that will protect against people working in politics using their status to manipulate, target and exploit vulnerable people.

“Now that the Scottish Government have provided their support, I hope parties across the parliament will do the right thing and support my amendment and this review.”