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New presiding officer to be elected at Holyrood Ken Macintosh chosen as Holyrood presiding officer
(about 1 hour later)
Five MSPs have put themselves forward for the role of Holyrood's presiding officer. Ken Macintosh has been elected as presiding officer for the fifth term of the Scottish Parliament.
The includes overseeing meetings of the parliament as well as undertaking diplomatic functions and representing the parliament at home and abroad. The Labour MSP, who will renounce his party affiliation as part of the role, won out after three rounds of voting.
Former deputy presiding officers John Scott and Elaine Smith are in the running for the job. His former colleagues Johann Lamont and Elaine Smith were also in the running, along with Conservative members Murdo Fraser and John Scott.
Labour figures Ken Macintosh and Johann Lamont and Tory Murdo Fraser have also been nominated. The remaining 128 MSPs, who were sworn in earlier in the day, will now choose two deputy presiding officers.
Two deputy presiding officers will also be elected, with a number of MSPs from across the chamber in the running for those posts. The role of presiding officer includes overseeing meetings of the parliament as well as undertaking diplomatic functions and representing the parliament at home and abroad.
Scotland's 129 MSPs were sworn in earlier in the day, and their first job is to elect a presiding officer, who will renounce their party affiliation. A secret ballot was held in the Holyrood chamber, with repeated rounds of voting until a majority supported one candidate.
Ms Smith was eliminated after the first round, while her fellow former deputy presiding officer Mr Scott was knocked out in the second round.
Mr Macintosh secured a majority of votes in the next round, with 71 MSPs supporting him. Mr Fraser won 31 votes, and Ms Lamont 26.
The new presiding officer paid fulsome tribute to his predecessor Tricia Marwick, and said he was "very grateful indeed" for the "honour and privilege" of the role.
He said: "As Tricia and many of her former colleagues step down, it gives me great pleasure to welcome and thank you, the class of 2016.
"I can see around me many familiar faces and friends, but I see too a huge number of new members, freshly elected. And can I say on a personal level, the energy and the infectious enthusiasm and optimism which you have filled this building within just a few days has invigorated me and refreshed this place."
He also apologised for any mistakes in advance, revealing that he mistakenly welcomed catering staff, a BBC journalist and a policeman to Holyrood as new MSPs.
Mr Macintosh was nominated by fellow Labour MSPs Jackie Baillie and Mark Griffin, while colleague Johann Lamont was backed by Jenny Marra and Green MSP Andy Wightman.Mr Macintosh was nominated by fellow Labour MSPs Jackie Baillie and Mark Griffin, while colleague Johann Lamont was backed by Jenny Marra and Green MSP Andy Wightman.
Mr Fraser was nominated by Conservative colleagues Liz Smith and Miles Briggs, while John Scott also had backing from Tories Alex Johnstone and Peter Chapman.Mr Fraser was nominated by Conservative colleagues Liz Smith and Miles Briggs, while John Scott also had backing from Tories Alex Johnstone and Peter Chapman.
Former deputy presiding officer Elaine Smith was backed by Labour colleague Rhoda Grant and SNP MSP Colin Beattie.Former deputy presiding officer Elaine Smith was backed by Labour colleague Rhoda Grant and SNP MSP Colin Beattie.
Outgoing presiding officer Tricia Marwick is overseeing the election to choose her replacement. Outgoing presiding officer Tricia Marwick oversaw the election to choose her replacement.