John Finnie MSP

Highlands and Islands

Justice, Transport & Tourism, Rural & Island Communities

John is a former police officer and has been a Highlands and Islands MSP since 2011. He is a member of Holyrood's Justice and Rural Economy committees. He successfully campaigned against deploying armed police to routine incidents, work for which he was awarded “Community Politician of the Year 2014”. He has campaigned against cuts to local education and medical services, police control rooms and Citizen’s Advice Bureaux and for public ownership of Calmac Ferries and the railways. He has also pushed for ethical investment of public funds and against ship to ship oil transfers of oil in the Moray Firth.

Scottish Greens call for support for home workers

Mon 6 Apr, 2020

The Scottish Government should consider what support can be made available for the significantly increased number of people working from home during the COVID19 crisis, according to Scottish Greens Connectivity Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

Finnie: Scottish Government must ensure prison staff are paid

Tue 24 Mar, 2020

The Scottish Government must ensure that private prison operators Serco and Sodexo treat staff fairly during the COVID-19 crisis, says Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

Mr Finnie made the call in parliament this afternoon, in response to a statement by Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf. Trade unions have reported that a number of private companies including those who operate HMP Addiewell and HMP Kilmanock have refused to pay cleaners who are self-isolating or those with childcare challenges as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

John Finnie MSP said:

Finnie comments on Britannia hotels

Fri 20 Mar, 2020

Commenting on the treatment of staff at Coylumbridge hotel near Aviemore by Britannia Hotels, Scottish Greens Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said:

“I was absolutely furious when i first heard the news, my heart goes out to those staff who have been treated appallingly by Britannia.

“Everyone understands that this unprecedented crisis presents unique challenges, particularly for the tourism sector. The answer to that is to seek support, to collaborate and support one another. Britannia’s actions are utterly tone deaf.

Finnie calls for islands’ coronavirus task force

Thu 19 Mar, 2020

A Highlands and Islands MSP has this afternoon called on the Scottish Government to establish an Islands’ task force to ensure that the unique needs of islands communities are at the forefront of Scottish Government thinking for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.

Boris bridge a road to nowhere says Finnie

Mon 9 Mar, 2020

Commenting on the Fraser of Allander Institute’s demolition of Boris Johnson’s proposed bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland, Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said:

Withdrawing from EAW an act of gross stupidity, says Finnie

Fri 28 Feb, 2020

The decision to withdraw from participation in the European Arrest Warrant is an act of gross stupidity that will prevent individuals access to justice, according to Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

Mr Finnie, a former police officer, made the comments following the publication of a document setting out the UK’s approach to negotiations with the EU [1] that revealed the UK would not be seeking to participate in the European arrest warrant (EAW) as part of the future relationship with the European Union.

Lessons from school fire must be learned

Mon 24 Feb, 2020

Following a fire at Park Primary School in Invergordon today, Scottish Greens Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said:

Finnie hails Coul Links decision

Fri 21 Feb, 2020

Welcoming the decision of Scottish Ministers to refuse planning permission for a proposed golf course at Coul Links, Scottish Greens Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie said:

“I am absolutely delighted that this ill thought out and unsuitable application has been rejected. It seems the Scottish Government has learned the lesson from the disastrous decision to grant permission for Trump’s course in Aberdeenshire after all.

Finnie labels Transport Strategy 'meaningless drivel'

Wed 5 Feb, 2020

The new Transport Strategy for Scotland lacks any vision and commitment needed for an emergency response, the Scottish Greens have warned.

While acknowledging the climate emergency and the devastating impact of air pollution, the document offers little in the way of policy to address them.

The Scottish Greens have proposed cutting back on the billions spent on road expansions to boost public transport, inlcuding providing free bus travel for Scotland's young people.

Greens win greater protections for biometric data

Tue 4 Feb, 2020

Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson John Finnie MSP today secured support for an amendment to the Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Bill which adds greater protections for data held by the police.

The Bill creates the position of Biometrics Commissioner who will provide independent oversight of police use of biometric data, including by creating a code of practice.

The original drafting of the Bill would have required police simply to “have regard” to the code of practice but following Mr Finnie’s amendment they will now be required to “comply” with the code.