Scottish Parliament chooses Ken Macintosh as presiding officer

Labour MSP Ken Macintosh has become the Scottish Parliament’s new presiding officer after coming out on top in a five-way race.

The former Labour leadership candidate, who returned to Holyrood via the west of Scotland regional list after losing the Eastwood seat to the Conservatives last week, was elected by MSPs on the third ballot.

Macintosh was up against fellow Labour MSPs Johann Lamont and Elaine Smith as well as Conservative MSPs Murdo Fraser and John Scott to succeed Tricia Marwick.

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Smith, who served as deputy presiding officer last term, was eliminated after picking up the fewest votes in the first ballot with Scott following her out in the second.

However, Macintosh managed to secure a majority at the third time of asking, racking up 71 votes with Fraser on 31 and Lamont on 26.

Macintosh paid tribute to the other candidates and pledged the parliament would “work together across the party divides for the common good”

As well as chairing debates, the presiding officer is responsible for leading structural change in the Scottish Parliament, something both Labour and the Conservatives have pledged to do.

Voting for the position of deputy presiding officer will take place later this afternoon.