Alex Cole-Hamilton apologises to the Scottish Parliament for his foul-mouthed outburst last week
On Thursday, February, 11, Mr Cole-Hamilton, who is the deputy convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee, was seen in a clip appearing to mouth “f*** you” to Minster Maree Todd while his microphone was on mute.
Mr Cole-Hamilton addressed Parliament on Tuesday to issue a formal apology for his actions.
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Hide AdHe said: “I wanted to take the opportunity, the first opportunity in parliamentary time, to try to make things right.
"On Thursday, in an exchange on children's rights with the Minister Maree Todd, I was captured on camera, mouthing language that was neither parliamentary nor respectful.
"I apologise unreservedly to the Minister. Each of us in this chamber should strive to reflect the better natures of the people we are sent here to serve, and I am very sorry, and I will reflect on that.”
His outburst was in response to SNP members of the committee saying that legislation incorporating the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) into Scottish law should not be enacted until a year after the bill received royal assent.
The Liberal Democrat had previously apologised on Twitter to Ms Todd for his outburst after she tweeted that the foul language did appear to be aimed at her and that an explanation for the “face contorted with anger” was also required.
Mr Cole-Hamilton said that he holds his hands up, he lost his temper and was “frustrated” by the Governments “backsliding on children’s rights once again”.