Fury as Margo MacDonald's right-to-die bill 'falls victim to Holyrood skulduggery'

THE reputation of the Scottish Parliament was last night called into question after it emerged that senior MSPs deliberately altered the progress of a landmark right-to-die bill in order to quash legislation on an independence referendum.

• Margo MacDonald is outraged at the game of 'musical chairs' being played over which committee of the Scottish Parliament will hear her bill on assisted dying. Picture: Jane Barlow

The Scotsman has learned that opposition MSPs involved in managing the parliament's diary ordered Margo MacDonald's high-profile assisted suicide legislation to be considered by a special "ad hoc" committee, rather than through the expected health committee.

The effect of this change means that the SNP's flagship referendum proposals will now be chaired by a Labour MSP, rather than an SNP member.

The move has prompted anger and accusations of "skulduggery" from the SNP ranks.

It has also proved controversial because of the sensitive nature of the right-to-die bill, and the fact that its passage will be followed not only in Scotland but overseas.

A furious Ms MacDonald has now written to the parliament's business bureau, which manages Holyrood's diary, urging it to rethink its stance.

She said: "This is a matter of trust with the public. The Scottish Parliament's reputation is on the line here.

"We have to be seen to be acting properly and treating issues with seriousness they deserve," Ms MacDonald went on. "Playing musical chairs with the committees in the hope the right party ends up chairing the referendum bill is disgraceful."

She added: "They need to be mindful of some of the voices that are coming out of Westminster, challenging how much money we get in Holyrood and our powers.

"If we hope to get further powers, we need to show that we can use them properly."

The health committee members have also unanimously signed a letter supporting Ms MacDonald's demand that they deal with the assisted suicide bill.

The letter was even signed by Liberal Democrat Ross Finnie, who was nominated to chair the ad hoc committee.

They argue that the health committee is well qualified to deal with the bill because it has two GPs – Richard Simpson of Labour and Ian McKee of the SNP – and is chaired by a lawyer, Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame.

They also fear that, by having an ad hoc committee, the motives of any members agreeing to be on it will be scrutinised far more than a committee which already has a membership.

The bill has divided society in Scotland down the middle and MSPs have strong views on both sides.

Blocking the SNP from chairing the referendum bill is significant as it will allow the unionist parties to rush through the bill to a first reading and have it thrown out of parliament quickly.

But the SNP – who privately accept the bill now has little chance of success – are determined it is debated and want it to remain a key issue during the general election.

A spokesman for SNP parliamentary business minister Bruce Crawford said the matter was one for the Scottish Parliament, but added: "Our view is that the decision was the wrong decision and an unfortunate decision."

The other members of the business bureau, Springburn Labour's Paul Martin; Edinburgh Pentlands Tory David McLetchie; and West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine Lib Dem Mike Rumbles, denied any "devious motives".

A spokesman for Mr Martin said: "Given the unique nature of the debate surrounding Margo MacDonald's bill, it had become very clear a special committee would be required to ensure all issues were given the proper time and consideration that this bill deserves."

HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS

AD HOC committees are usually set up for bills when there is no obvious subject committee to deal with them. They can also be created if the relevant committee workload is already too great.

One surprise is that the health committee, which has the expertise to deal with Margo MacDonald's bill, is also looking at a closely related one on palliative care.

Parliamentary rules mean the parties take it in turns to chair Holyrood's specially convened ad-hoc committees and, by creating one for Ms MacDonald's bill, it means Labour should end up chairing the independence referendum committee. This is crucial, because the convener of the committee has more power in setting the timetable.

As things stand, there are three ad-hoc committees due to be set up.

The Liberal Democrats are due to chair the next one, which will be Ms MacDonald's bill. The SNP follows the Lib Dems and will end up with a committee on changing inheritance laws. This leaves Labour with the referendum bill committee.