MSPs sworn in for new term at Scottish Parliament

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. MSPs sworn in for new term at Scottish Parliament43 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleAngus CochraneSenior political journalist, Scotland MSPs swear allegiance to the KingMSPs have been officially sworn into the Scottish Parliament following the Holyrood election. All 129 parliamentarians - including 64 first-time MSPs - swore allegiance to the King, either by affirmation or oath during a ceremony in the chamber. The statements were made in a variety of languages, including Scots, Gaelic, Hindi, Polish, Mandarin and French.

On the first day of parliamentary business since last week's election, members will also vote to elect a new presiding officer, Holyrood's version of the speaker. Smartly dressed, flowers on lapels and fluffed lines - MSPs swearing in at HolyroodSecurity passes, buddies, and who gets the best office - what awaits the newbies at Holyrood? MSPs donned traditional floral decorations during the ceremony.

The Details

SNP MSPs wore white roses - a nod to Hugh McDiarmid's 1931 poem The Little White Rose. The Conservatives also wore a white rose - though it was not linked to the nationalist poet. Labour MSPs had their traditional red rose, Reform UK a Scottish heather, the Greens what appeared to be a fuchsia pink gerbera and the Liberal Democrats a mini-mixed bouquet.

Some parliamentarians also wore traditional dress reflecting their various backgrounds. The SNP's Karen Adam, carer to her deaf father, made her statement in sign language. Moray representative Laura Mitchell was among those to use a prop during the ceremony.

She held a stave of the Clavie - a piece of charred wood from the annual Burghead fire ritual - which is meant to bring good luck. Getty ImagesPA Media SNP leader John Swinney was the first to be sworn in Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton took the oath Later, MSPs will elected a new presiding officer. The presiding officer chairs debates in the chamber, selects speakers in debates and represents the parliament at home and abroad.

What Experts Say

The role comes with a £136,112 salary, with the successful candidate required to resign their party membership to take up the neutral post. Four candidates are in the running to succeed former Green MSP Alison Johnstone as presiding officer - Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur, who served as a deputy in the role in the last parliament, as well as the SNP's Kenny Gibson, Stuart McMillan and Clare Haughey. Gibson chaired Holyrood's finance committee in the last parliament, where he was known not to pull any punches - including on the SNP government.

He has vowed to liven up proceedings, saying during a hustings event that chamber business had become "dull". Clare Haughey, the former convener of the health committee, is seen as the SNP leadership's top pick, while long-time backbench MSP Stuart McMillan is believed to have an outside chance to succeeding Johnstone. The parliament will choose the new presiding officer, as well as two deputies, in a secret ballot.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.