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PINT OF ORDER
Farcical moment Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton tries to vote in Holyrood debate from outside pub next door
The Lib-Dems boss, who appeared dishevelled, defended his voting record when we spoke to him
SCOTS Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton made a bid to cast a vote at Holyrood — from outside the Parly’s pub.
The dishevelled party chief used his phone to raise a point of order by video call but MSPs jeered when they saw his location on screens.
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Rivals insisted shamed Cole-Hamilton has “some serious explaining to do” after he tried to take part in the vote from a pub just a minute’s walk away.
The Scottish Lib Dems leader appeared on big screens in the debating chamber as he made a video call by mobile phone while standing outside Margo’s, the Parly boozer.
Fellow MSPs jeered and laughed after quickly working out where he was calling from as he attempted to raise a point of order.
But the party chief’s antics were slammed as “disgraceful” by the SNP.
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And Scottish Tory chief whip Alexander Burnett called on him to apologise.
It is understood Mr Cole-Hamilton went with a staffer after a meeting to the bar, named after late Nats stalwart Margo MacDonald and just a 60-second stroll from the debating floor.
He then used his phone to contact the chamber just after votes had been cast on a disabled rights bill proposed by Labour’s Pam Duncan-Glancy.
Mr Cole-Hamilton appeared on Parly monitors with his shirt partially unbuttoned as he repeatedly touched his hair and apologised to Deputy Presiding Officer Liam McArthur.
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In footage seen by The Scottish Sun, he calls for a “point of order” from directly outside the bar and says: “Sorry, Presiding Officer, I was unable to connect and would have voted ‘No’.”
There are jeers and laughs as MSPs work out where he’s speaking from.
Shaking his head, Mr McArthur tells his Lib Dem colleague his comments would be “recorded”.
Mr Cole-Hamilton then vanishes from the screens and Mr McArthur says: “I think I’ve lost him.”
But he later reappears via video link, having moved location — to shouts of “the shame” and “disgrace”.
The Edinburgh Western MSP says: “Can you hear me now, Presiding Officer? Sorry about that.”
And one politician is overheard telling former Scots Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie: “We’d have never have got that from you, Willie.”
An SNP spokesman hit out: “If this is true, it’s disgraceful behaviour in any workplace, not least the Scottish Parliament. People rightly expect politicians to conduct themselves properly and show respect for the job they are elected to do on their behalf.
“Alex Cole-Hamilton should apologise and provide assurances it won’t happen again.”
Tory chief whip Alexander Burnett fumed: “Alex Cole-Hamilton has some serious explaining to do.
“The public will want to know why the Lib Dem leader thought this was appropriate behaviour.
“All MSPs should be setting an example and carrying out their Parliamentary work in the right way.
“This incident fell far below those standards and he should apologise.”
Lawmakers had been voting on Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy’s bill aimed at improving the transition of disabled children into adulthood. It was defeated by 90 votes to 19.
The Holyrood chamber appeared to be less than half full. Virtual voting was introduced during the pandemic so MSPs do not have to be in the chamber to take part in ‘decision time’ — usually around 5pm.
The Scottish Lib Dems refused to say if Mr Cole-Hamilton had been drinking.
Mr Cole-Hamilton confirmed he had apologised to Mr McArthur.
He told The Scottish Sun: “I take the proceedings of parliament very seriously. My voting record speaks for itself in casting my ballot every time that I possibly can.
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“MSPs regularly vote remotely and on this occasion, fewer than a third were present to vote in person.
“After decision time, I immediately sought out the Deputy Presiding Officer to apologise for not arriving at the chamber in time.”
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