MSPs wary of plan for procession

THE Holyrood parliament building was at the centre of fresh controversy last night when it emerged that plans have been drawn up for a procession of politicians down the Royal Mile for the Royal opening in October.

Some critical MSPs told parliamentary managers to ditch the plans, warning that a procession would look triumphalist and that bystanders might be tempted to throw rubbish at the politicians - such is the public anger over the cost and delays to the building.

George Reid, the Presiding Officer, will announce details of the opening ceremony to the parliament tomorrow.

Parliamentary officials refused to confirm any details yesterday but it is understood that there will be a procession of some kind from the old parliamentary chambers at the top of the Royal Mile to Holyrood on the day.

The MSPs will not be alone, however, so the procession will not just involve the politicians who have overseen the spiralling costs.

The ceremony is intended to be a "day for the people" and school pupils, workers and pensioners will be invited along to walk down the Royal Mile as well. But some MSPs urged caution, warning parliamentary managers to heed public anger over the project.

Margo MacDonald, the Independent Lothians MSP, said: "I think this is a highly dubious exercise. It’s like rubbing salt in the wounds of the people that there should be such triumphalism, with the same people who have made such a mess of things getting togged out in their best clothes and marching down the street, asking people to admire them.

"What they used to do in the High Street was hang out the windows and empty their chamber pots. Instead of going down the High Street, they should just go into St Giles’ and pray for forgiveness for what they have done."

Alex Neil the SNP MSP, described the idea of a procession as "stupid" and called for a more low-key event.

"If they are going to have a procession, those at the front who were responsible for the Holyrood fiasco should walk with their heads down in shame."

The opening ceremony was supposed to cost 400,000 but that has been scaled back, partly because of public concern over the rising cost of the building. It is understood that the ceremony will cost about half the original estimate, but will still involve the same number of members of the public.