THE SNP’s depute leader was refused to chance to have the First Minister answer his question at Holyrood.
Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh intervened after a statement by Keith Brown, saying he was moving on to a “real question” rather than letting Nicola Sturgeon respond.
Speaking at First Minister’s Questions, Brown asked: “In light of the reports today that the couple who did their civic duty and reported the domestic disturbance in the Boris Johnson flat had to move out and require security assistance, and in light of the fact that the latest victim of Ruth Davidson’s endorsement, Jeremy Hunt, has admitted that the Tory government have gone far too far in cutting police numbers, in contrast to the SNP Government in Scotland, does she agree with me that the Tories are guilty of almost criminal hypocrisy?”
Brown was referring to reports that Tom Penn and Eve Leigh have not been seen at their home in South London since the night they called the police, after overhearing a row between Johnson and partner Carrie Symonds.
The Express reported that death threats have been posted through Penn and Leigh’s door.
However, Macintosh ruled out Brown’s question to Sturgeon.
He said: “First Minister, I don’t think ... I appreciate the question, I don’t think any of that’s a matter for the First Minister’s responsibility. We move on to question...”
The Presiding Officer paused, as MSPs cheered and jeered his decision.
Macintosh continued: “We can tell it’s the last day of term. We move on to a real question from Stuart McMillan.”
The First Minister did not refer back to Brown’s attempted question in her answer to McMillan.
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