
First Minister's Questions



‘Completely unacceptable’: John Swinney condemns Home Office following reports of children detained at Dungavel
Reports that child refugees are still being held at Dungavel Immigration Removal Centre almost a decade after the Home Office announced an end to the policy have led to fresh calls for the devolution of asylum powers


'Come clean about Prestwick's role': Nicola Sturgeon challenged on possible airport involvement in Syria strikes
The First Minister offered no denial when questioned if the Scottish Government-owned airport was used in the latest military action against Syria
CONTROVERSY over the use of the Scottish Government-owned Prestwick Airport by United States military returned to the Scottish Parliament today [19 April], as First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was unable to confirm whether or not Prestwick had facilitated this month’s strikes against Syria.

FMQs: Nicola Sturgeon takes aim at Scottish Labour's internal strife
The first minister argued that “pish” could “describe much of what Jackie Baillie says in this chamber”
FIRST MINISTER NICOLA STURGEON used this week’s First Minister’s Questions to make some pointed remarks about Scottish Labour’s internal divisions as the party’s Scottish leadership race turns increasingly bitter.

Craig Paton Does FMQs: Kez sneaks in a double header and Patrick Harvie goes out of control
Columnist Craig Paton offers his weekly sketch of First Minister's Questions
FIRST MINISTER'S QUESTIONS this week had different tone. Partisan barriers were set aside, there was no hooping and hollering, no screaming and shouting.
Unfortunately, it was in reaction to a tragedy; the Manchester bombing. Each member was deliberate in their respect for the lost and for the wounded, given that election campaigning had been suspended.

Sturgeon: Sanitary products during menstruation are not a luxury but a necessity
Scottish Labour’s inequalities spokesperson, Monica Lennon, asked Nicola Sturgeon during First Minister’s Questions whether access to sanitary products should be legislated
SCOTLAND’S FIRST MINISTER has confirmed that sanitary products during a woman’s period “are not a luxury but a necessity”.
Nicola Sturgeon was urged to bring in legislation to outlaw “period poverty” in Scotland by Scottish Labour’s Monica Lennon at First Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

Craig Paton Does FMQs: Education, education, separation?
Columnist Craig Paton offers his weekly sketch of First Minister's Questions
IT'S that time of the week again, and we have arrived at yet another First Minister’s Questions, and the thought on everyone’s mind is how much, if any, of Nicola Sturgeon’s legs we'll see this week.
Well, none. They were blocked by the podium, so you can go home, Daily Mail.

Craig Paton Does FMQs: The Westminster attack, an ageing population and child mental health makes for a sombre affair
Taking over the First Minister's Questions sketch mantle from Dan Vevers, Craig Paton offers his take on the week's events
THE spectre of the attacks on London hung over the chamber at Holyrood yesterday. First Minister’s Questions was a much lighter affair than usual – there were no attacks, no backhanded quips and no shouting. Instead, the Scottish Parliament joined together to say as one: we will not be beaten.