The suspension of the debate for a second independence referendum
for Scotland was done in the interest national unity against terrorism, but it
appears that not all Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) was able to contain
the idea of suspending the debate.
A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP) had a "a
meltdown" over Holyrood's suspension in the wake of the London terror
attack.
As a result of the suspension, Tory MSP was reprimanded by
the Environmental Secretary Roseanna Cunningham for bringing the First Minister’s
referendum demand to a halt.
The Perthshire South MSP branded the decision a
"disgrace" and was later calmed by colleagues after jabbing her
finger towards their benches.
According to sources Ms Cunningham blamed Conservative adversaries
of "giving into terrorists" and that "they didn’t want to talk
about independence" when the debate over the First Minister's call for a
section 30 order from Westminster to hold a legally-binding poll was halted.
While commenting on the incident, Scottish Tory deputy
leader Jackson Carlaw said: “She started shouting it was a disgrace that it was
suspended. She started pointing.
"Everyone just walked away from it and some of her own
colleagues calmed her down.
"But for a moment it looked like something quite
serious was potentially going to kick off and fortunately didn’t.
"I thought it was a very odd way for her to behave.
Some of our people were really quite shocked.
"I hope it was because she was not fully aware of
events elsewhere and will realise it was not her best moment."
It is highly probable that Ms Sturgeon's minority
administration was expected to win the ballot of MSPs with the help of
pro-independence Greens despite opposition from the Conservatives, Labour and
Lib Dems.
One witness to Ms Cunnigham's outburst last said: She was
having a bit of a meltdown.
"I heard her say: 'You are giving into terrorists, even
the Tories at Westminster carried on in the face of the IRA."
Other sources said he was also heard telling Tories:
"This is because you didn’t want to talk about independence."
Ms Cunningham spokesman said: “Roseanna’s first thoughts are
with all of those affected, and while she did initially take the view – shared
by some from other parties – that business should not be suspended in the face
of terrorism, she fully supports the decision, given the seriousness of
events.”
Scottish Parliament officials initially ruled that the
debate should continue as planned, before Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh
decided it should be halted following talks with party business managers.
Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale had instructed her
members to leave as Mr Macintosh said the London attack was affecting the
contributions saying: "Members of all parties represented in this
Parliament will want to join me in expressing our heartfelt sympathy for all
those affected by the tragic events at Westminster.
"As the true seriousness of the incident emerged, and
as an expression of our support for our sister Parliament, parliamentary
business at Holyroodwas suspended this afternoon for the remainder of the day.
"No matter how significant our debate might be, to have
continued further would not have been appropriate. It was increasingly apparent
from the chair as reports emerged that the thoughts and concerns of members lay
elsewhere.
"While there is no intelligence to suggest a specific
threat to Scotland, Edinburgh or Holyrood, security at the Scottish Parliament
has been heightened with immediate effect as a precautionary measure."
The First also said she "fully" backed the
decision to suspend Holyrood and added: "My thoughts are with everyone
caught up in the dreadful incident at Westminster today, including the
emergency services who responded bravely to ensure the safety of the many
people nearby."
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