Engagements

First Minister's Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at 12:00 pm on 11 September 2008.

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Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour 12:00, 11 September 2008

To ask the First Minister what engagements he has planned for the rest of the day. (S3F-984)

Photo of Alex Salmond Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland, Leader, Scottish National Party

Later today, I will have meetings to take forward the Government's programme for Scotland.

I am sure that all members will join me in celebrating a week of Scottish sporting success: the victories of our Paralympians in Beijing; Andy Murray's progress to the US open final; and of course the victory of George Burley's team in Reykjavik last night. I know that Cathy Jamieson will join me in ensuring that this is not the last world cup competition in which a Scottish international team competes, regardless of pressure from anywhere else.

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I would just note that last night's successful Scotland team was led by manager George Burley, a good Cumnock boy.

On a serious matter, I will quote from a letter sent to the First Minister by the daughter of Scottish National Party Councillor Hanif, who has been exposed in the media for encouraging his children to fire a Kalashnikov assault rifle. She said:

"My siblings and I were put in an environment where people were pointing loaded AK-47 guns at each other. I cannot believe you have taken it so lightly."

Has the First Minister replied to that letter yet?

Photo of Alex Salmond Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland, Leader, Scottish National Party

I have not replied as yet. I have seen the letter in the press, but I have not read the actual letter. I will certainly reply to the letter when I receive it.

I do not accept that the matter has been taken lightly by the SNP. Suspension from a political party is a serious matter. Councillor Hanif's actions have been condemned by the party as extremely unwise. I do not accept the interpretation that the matter has been taken lightly in any shape or form.

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I will draw members' attention to the comments of the First Minister's colleague John Mason, who believes that SNP Councillor Hanif has been harshly treated by being suspended for a mere two months, describing that as "a bit severe"—

Photo of Alex Fergusson Alex Fergusson None

Ms Jamieson, I find that this is a matter of party rather than political interest.

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I appreciate that this is a party matter, but I think that it is also something that the people of Scotland are concerned about.

Photo of Alex Salmond Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland, Leader, Scottish National Party

I believe that this is a matter of party interest, but I will do my best to keep my answer within first ministerial responsibilities.

In terms of the general interest in such matters, perhaps the Labour Party would now like to join the Cabinet Secretary for Justice in taking action against the guns that are available in Scotland and to support our claim in Westminster that this Parliament should have the right to restrict air-gun access throughout Scotland.

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I have no difficulty in working with any party that wants to reduce violent crime across Scotland. It is incumbent on politicians to set an example in that regard.

Does the First Minister agree with his colleague John Mason, who has branded critics of the SNP councillor as "racist"? [Interruption.] This is a serious matter. Does the First Minister believe that the editor of the Evening Times, the MP for Glasgow Central, Mohammed Sarwar, and the Conservative justice spokesperson, Bill Aitken, are racist?

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I am pleased to hear that response from the First Minister. Councillor Shaukat Butt, a senior and respected member of Glasgow's Asian community, said:

"John Mason's comments are ridiculous. It is wrong to suggest reports of Councillor Hanif's"—

Photo of Alex Fergusson Alex Fergusson None

Ms Jamieson, can I be assured that the question that you are going to put falls under first ministerial responsibility?

Photo of Cathy Jamieson Cathy Jamieson Labour

I believe that it does, Presiding Officer.

Councillor Butt said:

"John Mason's comments are ridiculous. It is wrong to suggest reports of Councillor Hanif's actions have anything to do with race."

This is a serious matter. I believe that most ordinary, decent families will agree with Councillor Butt that John Mason's comments are disgraceful. Will the First Minister apologise for his colleague's comments?

Photo of Alex Salmond Alex Salmond First Minister of Scotland, Leader, Scottish National Party

Not for a second does John Mason accuse the range of people to whom Cathy Jamieson referred—or somebody else commenting on what John Mason said—of being racist.

I looked at one of the blogs on the matter and saw comments—not from any of the people whom Cathy Jamieson mentioned—that could be described only as totally unacceptable, about who was and who was not a real Scot. I believe—[Interruption.] They were not on SNP blogs; they were on the blog of the Glasgow Evening Times, commenting on the story.

I believe that everyone in this country is a real Scot and that we should approach these matters without any tinge—as there was on that blog—of racist comment. The whole chamber should unite in deploring and deprecating racism in Scottish society, wherever it emerges. That point of unity should not be lost in an attempt to say what somebody might have said about somebody else and to gain party advantage.

Finally, I say to Cathy Jamieson—I wish her good luck on Saturday—that there is a whole range of issues across Scottish society for which I, as First Minister, have responsibility, and I would like this Parliament to have many more responsibilities. If she is successful in her competition on Saturday, perhaps in future she might choose one from that array of subjects and not ask about internal party matters.