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.

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.

Brexit will erode Scotland’s justice system from day one

Thu 30 Jan, 2020

Scotland’s justice system will be downgraded from the moment we leave the European Union, according to Scottish Greens Justice Spokesperson John Finnie MSP.

Speaking at First Minister’s Questions this afternoon Mr Finnie highlighted that, despite assurances from the Home Office, the European Arrest Warrant will not continue to operate as it currently does, with a number of countries including Germany exercising their constitutional obligations not to extradite citizens outwith the EU.

John Finnie MSP said:

Climate Activists Not Classed Terrorists by Police Scotland

John Finnie MSP Tue 28 Jan, 2020

Police Scotland have confirmed that Extinction Rebellion and other climate protesters will not automatically be referred to the Prevent scheme for tracking suspected terrorist activities.

Scottish Green justice spokesperson John Finnie MSP wrote to Police Scotland after counter terrorism police in England had issued guidance on Prevent which included a reference to Extinction Rebellion.

In its reply, the police force said unlawful protests were not considered terrorism.

Thousands of cancellations show need for rail investment

Mon 27 Jan, 2020

The Scottish Government must urgently prioritise investment in Scotland’s rail services, according to Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP, who has today revealed figures showing that almost 16,500 ScotRail trains were cancelled in 2019.

Finnie slams offensive Tory Gaelic comments

Thu 23 Jan, 2020

Highlands and Islands Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie has slammed comments from Tory Education Spokesperson Liz Smith MSP, who said that a presumption in favour of teaching primary school children in the Western Isles in Gaelic was, "A deeply troubling step and one that could put children in the Western Isles at a distinct disadvantage to their peers."

John Finnie MSP said:

Greens reveal increase in ScotRail skipping stops

Wed 22 Jan, 2020

Seven ScotRail trains on average skipped stations in Scotland every day in 2019, according to figures obtained by Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP. The data shows that 2,660 ScotRail trains skipped stations in 2019, an increase of more than 500 on the previous year.

John Finnie MSP said:

Scotrail service failures show need to put passengers first

Sat 18 Jan, 2020

Figures obtained by the Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP show that Scotrail faced penalties of over £3.3 million in 2019, after almost 5000 service fails were recorded across stations and rolling stock.

The data from the Service Quality Incentive Regime (SQUIRE) is gathered by Transport Scotland’s inspectors who audit all 355 ScotRail Stations and a minimum of 190-210 trains at least once every four weekly cycle.

John Finnie MSP said: