Former justice committee convener Christine Grahame elected deputy presiding officer

Holyrood’s former justice committee convener Christine Grahame was yesterday elected deputy presiding officer for the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament.

The Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP was chosen by MSPs along with fellow SNP MSP Linda Fabiani.

Their elections follows veteran Labour MSP Ken Macintosh being selected as Tricia Marwick’s successor as presiding officer.

Grahame, an MSP since 1999, was convener of the Parliament’s justice committee and also the justice sub-committee on policing in the last session.

“I am pleased to have received the support of my colleagues for this important position,” she said. “I feel privileged to be working with Ken and Linda in the coming session.”

Fabiani, who has also served at Holyrood since its inception, was previously a member of the Scottish Parliament’s corporate body as well as the devolution committee

She said: “It is an honour to have been elected to this exciting and challenging role. I am very much looking forward to playing my part in the work of the fifth Parliament and I pledge to work hard with my counterparts to make the next Parliament a success.”