Douglas Ross accuses Holyrood's Presiding Officer of bias against unionists

Mr Ross said his treatment was “unprecedented” and revealed he has now written to the Scottish Parliament’s chief executive, David McGill, to request a meeting.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said Mr Ross had “persistently” flouted standing orders in recent weeks and banned him from the Holyrood chamber for the entirety of Thursday.

The row followed an exchange at FMQs over the cost of reaching net zero by 2045, which Russell Findlay, the current Tory leader, insisted would be “crippling” for groups such as farmers.

In his response, the First Minister said there was “parliamentary consensus” about the importance of reaching net zero by this date, and highlighted the impact of Brexit on farming. Mr Ross could then be heard heckling the SNP leader, accusing him of “deflection”.

Wherever you are in the world, get the Scotsman newsletter for the best news from home

Ms Johnstone interrupted to say: “Mr Ross, you have persistently refused to abide by our standing orders, and I would ask you to leave this chamber and you are excluded for the rest of the day.”

After the former Tory leader initially remained seated, she said: “Mr Ross, I have asked you to leave the chamber. Please do so.”

Speaking to journalists afterwards, Mr Ross, the MSP for the Highlands and Islands, said he represented many farmers and was frustrated the First Minister had not answered the question put to him.

“This is an issue that is extremely important to those individuals who are in that sector and their families and their communities, therefore they deserve to hear those answers,” he said.

“But for a member to be expelled from the chamber with no warning at all, I think may be unprecedented.”

He said he had asked to meet with Ms Johnstone and Mr McGill, but had so far not received a response.

“There have been concerns outwith this building about how [Ms Johnstone] treats Conservative MSPs compared to government ministers, [or] Green MSPs for example,” he said.

“And since this happened at lunchtime, I’ve had senior members from other parties saying that Alison Johnstone risks losing support within the chamber for her actions.”

The former Tory leader said Holyrood was “not a library”, adding: “There is going to be some discussion from the benches around the respective party spokespeople. That is what people watch politics for.

“Now, sometimes it goes beyond the pale and action has to be taken, but I don’t recall ever seeing a presiding officer take no action to try to minimise that behaviour or to warn any members before excluding them.

“She reached straight for that option today, which for me raises serious concerns about it. And the speed at which she did it made me almost think it was premeditated. It didn’t matter what I did today, I wonder if she was just going to go straight for that.”

Mr Ross argued the environment in the Holyrood chamber was already “far too sterile” and Ms Johnstone has had a “controlling effect” on the chamber in recent weeks.

“You’ve got to look at Alison Johnstone formerly being a Green Party member, saying that she would leave her party allegiances at the door, but taking very different approaches to nationalist politicians who step out of line, compared to unionist politicians who step out of line,” he told journalists.

The former Tory leader added: “If she reflects on today’s events and regrets her immediate kneejerk reaction, then I was listen to her and I will consider that.”

Asked if he would consider tabling a vote of no confidence in Ms Johnstone, Mr Ross said he was considering all of his options.

A spokesperson for the First Minister said the row was "a matter for the Presiding Officer", but said Mr Swinney "doesn't agree" with accusations Ms Johnstone was biased. The Liberal Democrats also backed the Presiding Officer.

Ms Johnstone has repeatedly warned Mr Ross about his conduct over recent weeks.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “The Presiding Officer has warned Mr Ross on repeated occasions recently about his behaviour in the chamber. Due to his persistent refusal to respect the rules of Parliament, the member was asked to leave the chamber. This suspension is for the remainder of the day.”