Get the latest from Highlands and Islands MSP John Finnie

Finnie slams Serco appointment

Fri 20 Sep, 2019

Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has slammed the Scottish Government for maintaining its association with Serco, after ministers appointed the disreputable company as the preferred bidder for the Northern Isles Ferry Services.  

Highlands and Islands John Finnie MSP said: 

“I’m astonished that the Scottish Government has decided to maintain its relationship with such a disreputable company by selecting them as the preferred bidder for the lifeline northern isles ferry services. 

Wales takes first step towards equal protection, now Scotland must lead the way

Wed 18 Sep, 2019

Scottish Green MSP John Finnie has welcomed progress on equal protection of children in Wales.

The Welsh bill to remove the legal defence of ‘reasonable punishment’ was backed at its first stage in the Senedd today, with AMs voting for the proposed legislation.

Next month John Finnie’s Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Member's Bill is expected to complete its parliamentary journey at Holyrood, which will remove the legal defence of ‘justifiable assault’ from Scots law.

Greens respond to Sleeper strike action

Mon 16 Sep, 2019

Responding to reports that the RMT are to take industrial action, Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said:

“Serco is an entirely disreputable company that has a long record of mismanaging public services.

Minister refuses to rule out selling Prestwick to US Military

Wed 11 Sep, 2019

Under questioning from the Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee this morning (11 Sep), The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity refused to rule out selling Prestwick Airport to the US Military.

Scottish Government fails to identify crofting climate implications

Tue 10 Sep, 2019

The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy failed to identify any implications for crofting of the climate emergency. 

Following her declaration of a climate emergency in April, the First Minister indicated that the Scottish Government would review all its policies, yet under questioning from Scottish Greens Rural and Island Communities Spokesperson John Finnie MSP, Mr Ewing failed to identify any issues in relation to crofting. 

John Finnie MSP said: 

Greens seek review of use of criminal immunity in wake of Allan Marshall case

Fri 6 Sep, 2019

Scottish Greens justice spokesperson John Finnie MSP has asked the Lord Advocate, James Wolffe, to clarify the use of criminal immunity in Scotland.

The former police officer has written to the senior Scottish Law Officer in the wake of scathing criticism by Sheriff Liddle, who presided in the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the death of Allan Marshall in Saughton Prison.

Prison officers in that FAI were granted criminal immunity by the Crown.

Scot Gov must keep Ferguson yard in public ownership

Tue 3 Sep, 2019

Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP has called on the Scottish Government to keep the Ferguson Marine yard in public ownership to ensure that the two ferries currently being built there are completed, and that the aging public ferry fleet can be replaced.

John Finnie MSP said:

Programme for government lacking in ambition on transport 

Tue 3 Sep, 2019

The Programme for government announced by the First Minister this afternoon is severely lacking in ambition when it comes to tackling rising transport emissions according to the Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP. 

John Finnie MSP said:

John to retire at next election

Tue 27 Aug, 2019

Highlands and Islands Green MSP John Finnie has today (27th Aug) announced that he will retire at the next Scottish Parliament election.

The Scottish Greens have begun selecting candidates for the election in 2021 and Mr Finnie, who was first elected to represent the Highlands and Islands in 2011 and subsequently re-elected in 2016, has indicated that he will not seek a further term.

Speaking of his decision, Mr Finnie said:

Urgent action required to tackle drugs emergency say Greens

Tue 16 Jul, 2019

Both the Scottish and UK Governments must take urgent action to tackle Scotland’s drugs death emergency following new figures [1], which revealed there were 1,187 drug deaths in 2018 according to Scottish Greens MSP John Finnie. 

The figures represent a 27% increase of the 2017, which were themselves record setting, and mean Scotland continues to have the highest rate of drugs deaths in Europe.

John Finnie MSP said: