SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit
Press Release: 04/03/04

Carolyn Leckie MSP, the Scottish Socialist Party's representative on the Parliamentary Business Bureau, today criticised the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament for refusing to take a motion without notice that would have allowed the Scottish Parliament to debate the plight of the Kurdish asylum seekers on hunger strike in Glasgow.
Carolyn said;
"The Deputy Presiding Officer should reflect on his decision to put sensitivity about parliamentary procedural niceties ahead of a dire humanitarian emergency and his decision reflects badly on the offices of the Presiding Officer.
"The Scottish Socialist Party wanted to give the Executive an opportunity to indicate what measures they intend to take to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.
"I sincerely hope the parliament doesn't live to regret the decision as next week may be too late."