PRESIDING Officer Ken Macintosh has closed the Scottish Parliament ahead of the May elections.

Macintosh gave a speech in which he thanked his colleagues in the parliament, as well as his family and support staff across Holyrood.

He also announced that the parliament would reconvene on Thursday May 13, following the elections on May 6.

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Macintosh, a Labour representative, has sat in Holyrood’s chamber since 1999, but announced in September last year that he would be standing down at this election.

Macintosh’s speech, which he also used to list some of the key achievements of the Scottish Parliament since its creation, received a standing ovation from the MSPs present.

As the now former presiding office banged his gavel, the Scottish Parliament officially dissolved and all members lost their titles as MSPs.

You can watch his full speech below: