Scottish Parliament’s fifth session gets underway with MSPs taking oaths

The first session of the Scottish Parliament’s fifth session gets underway this morning, with each MSP taking an oath of allegiance or solemn affirmation.  

Both versions include a pledge to bear allegiance to the Queen.

While members can swear in two months from the date of their election, all 129 MSPs are expected to all do so this morning. If they refuse they are unable to take their place in Parliament.

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The party leaders will be sworn in first followed by all other MSPs in alphabetical order in a ceremony expected to last all morning.

Outgoing presiding officer Tricia Marwick will oversee the ceremony before MSPs elect her successor.

There are currently five contenders for the next presiding officer, including Labour’s Ken Macintosh, Johann Lamont and former deputy presiding officer Elaine Smith.

Conservatives John Scott, also a former deputy, and Murdo Fraser are also in the picture for the non-partisan role, which would require the winner to give up their party allegiance.

Former Labour leader Lamont said: “I think it's a very important job. It's a job that allows the parliament to hold the government to account but also to be accountable to the people of Scotland.”

MSPs will vote via a secret paper ballot, and if no majority is recorded fresh votes are held with the candidate with least votes eliminated.