This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-32923901
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick to step down as MSP | Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick to step down as MSP |
(35 minutes later) | |
Holyrood's presiding officer has announced she will step down as an MSP at next year's Scottish election. | Holyrood's presiding officer has announced she will step down as an MSP at next year's Scottish election. |
Tricia Marwick, who is the only woman to have held the position, said May 2016 would be the "right time" to leave frontline politics. | Tricia Marwick, who is the only woman to have held the position, said May 2016 would be the "right time" to leave frontline politics. |
She said it had been an "honour" to serve as presiding officer since 2011 and was proud of the changes she had made to Holyrood business. | She said it had been an "honour" to serve as presiding officer since 2011 and was proud of the changes she had made to Holyrood business. |
Mrs Marwick was elected as an SNP MSP in the first Holyrood poll in 1999. | Mrs Marwick was elected as an SNP MSP in the first Holyrood poll in 1999. |
She became presiding officer after the 2011 election, taking over from Alex Fergusson. | She became presiding officer after the 2011 election, taking over from Alex Fergusson. |
Mrs Marwick, the MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, said: "It is possible that the next parliamentary session will last for five years and, if so, I will be 67 when that session ends. | Mrs Marwick, the MSP for Mid Fife and Glenrothes, said: "It is possible that the next parliamentary session will last for five years and, if so, I will be 67 when that session ends. |
"I have been an MSP since 1999 and I am convinced this is the right time for me to leave the parliament and frontline politics." | "I have been an MSP since 1999 and I am convinced this is the right time for me to leave the parliament and frontline politics." |
'Blazing a trail' | 'Blazing a trail' |
She added: "When I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2013 it made me realise I wasn't invincible. The sad loss this session of four MSPs from the 1999 intake has affected me deeply. | She added: "When I was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2013 it made me realise I wasn't invincible. The sad loss this session of four MSPs from the 1999 intake has affected me deeply. |
"My health is good and all my tests show that I remain clear of cancer. | "My health is good and all my tests show that I remain clear of cancer. |
"However, my family have had to make many sacrifices over the years and I want to ensure that I can spend more time with them, particularly my two grandchildren." | "However, my family have had to make many sacrifices over the years and I want to ensure that I can spend more time with them, particularly my two grandchildren." |
But she said: "I don't intend to retire completely and hope I can continue to make some contribution to public life in Scotland." | But she said: "I don't intend to retire completely and hope I can continue to make some contribution to public life in Scotland." |
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to Mrs Marwick for becoming the parliament's first female presiding officer and "blazing a trail for other women to follow". | First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to Mrs Marwick for becoming the parliament's first female presiding officer and "blazing a trail for other women to follow". |
Ms Sturgeon said: "She has also introduced a number of important and welcome reforms to procedures in Holyrood - giving a greater voice to backbenchers within parliament and making proceedings more open and accessible to the public. | Ms Sturgeon said: "She has also introduced a number of important and welcome reforms to procedures in Holyrood - giving a greater voice to backbenchers within parliament and making proceedings more open and accessible to the public. |
"She will certainly be missed by all the MSPs and staff within parliament and I wish her the very best in her retirement. | "She will certainly be missed by all the MSPs and staff within parliament and I wish her the very best in her retirement. |
"I know she'll be looking forward to spending more time with her family but I have no doubt that she will continue to play a role in public life in Scotland." | "I know she'll be looking forward to spending more time with her family but I have no doubt that she will continue to play a role in public life in Scotland." |
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said Mrs Marwick's "kindness and her firmness marked her out as a great presiding officer". | Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said Mrs Marwick's "kindness and her firmness marked her out as a great presiding officer". |
He added: "Tricia Marwick will be known as a reforming presiding officer. She has provided voices for the backbenchers in the first majority government. She raised the stature of the parliament." | He added: "Tricia Marwick will be known as a reforming presiding officer. She has provided voices for the backbenchers in the first majority government. She raised the stature of the parliament." |
Scottish Labour's acting leader Kezia Dugdale said: "A working class woman made it to the top and she's a first class role model for women across the land who want to break down barriers and the established order. | |
"While she'll leave parliament, I've no doubt that she'll never be far from public life." | "While she'll leave parliament, I've no doubt that she'll never be far from public life." |