THE Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham was last night accused of “absolutely disgraceful” behaviour after the Westminster terror attack cut short a debate on independence.
The Perthshire MSP shouted and jabbed her finger at the Tory benches after Holyrood was suspended 75 minutes into a high-profile SNP debate on holding a second referendum.
Tory MSPs claimed she said it was “an absolute disgrace”, as it was “giving into terrorists”.
More controversially, Tory sources also claimed she said “This is because you didn’t want to talk about independence”, however the SNP disputed this.
Most of her anger appeared directed at Tory Murdo Fraser, who had earlier called for a suspension in light of the unfolding events at Westminster.
One witness said: “She was having a bit of a meltdown. What I heard her say was something like this. 'You are giving into terrorists, even the Tories at Westminster carried on in the face of the IRA.' Others then heard her say something like, 'You are only doing this because we are debating independence.’”
The argument broke out after Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh suspended the debate just before 4pm.
He said the incident at “our sister parliament” meant MSPs were unable to make their best contributions to the debate.
Deputy Tory leader Jackson Carlaw tweeted Ms Cunningham had been guilty of “absolutely disgraceful conduct” at the suspension, and called it “totally unbecoming”.
He said later: “She started shouting it was a disgrace that it was suspended. Some of her own colleagues calmed her down. I thought it was a very odd way for her to behave.
"I hope it was because she was not fully aware of events elsewhere and will realise it was not her best moment.
“For a moment it looked like something quite serious was potentially going to kick off and fortunately didn’t.”
Tory Edward Mountain, whose son was stationed at Horse Guards Parade near Westminster, also tweeted: “Words fail me @strathearnrose [Ms Cunningham] they just do.”
Asked about Ms Cunningham’s comment on independence, her spokesman said: “Roseanna’s first thoughts are with all of those affected, and while she did initially take the view – shared by some from other parties – that business should not be suspended in the face of terrorism, she fully supports the decision, given the seriousness of events.”
Holyrood was suspended after an emergency meeting of the business bureau and at the recommendation of Nicola Sturgeon.
Mr Macintosh said: “No matter how significant our debate might be, to have continued further would not have been appropriate. "It was increasingly apparent from the chair as reports emerged that the thoughts and concerns of members lay elsewhere.”
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