BBC Newsonline: SSP begins legal action over ban
SSP Research, Policy & Media Unit Press Release:
14/07/05
SSP instructs QC over Parliament penalties 41 MEP's protest to George Reid
The human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar has instructed two QC's on behalf of the Scottish Socialist Party to begin proceedings in the Court of Session over the penalties imposed by the Scottish Parliament after a protest by four of the SSP's six MSP's on Thursday 30th June.
Following a preliminary meeting with legal advisors, the SSP has been told that it's MSP's have a very strong legal case and that the first moves seeking a judicial review will be taken shortly.
SSP national convenor Colin Fox today had a meeting with Paul Grice, Clerk and Chief Executive of the Scottish Parliament, at which the implementation of the sanctions were outlined.
Colin also revealed that 41 members of the European Parliament have written to George Reid to protest at the severity of the sanctions imposed by Parliament as have 8 Portuguese MP's.
The 41 MEP's are members of the European United Left Nordic Green Left. European Parliamentary Group.
Speaking after the meeting with Paul Grice Colin said;
"The sanctions outlined to me today by Paul Grice are utterly unacceptable and disproportionate to the protest that was made in Parliament.
"We have been denied any semblance of natural justice; we were tried in our absence without any kind of due process, right of appeal or any other of the basic human rights enshrined in law.
"I have met with our legal team and we are advised that we have a very strong case which will be taken to the Court of Session when we seek a judicial review of these draconian penalties.
"Socialist parliamentarians from across Europe have rallied to our defence with 41 members of the European Parliament and 8 members of the Portuguese Parliament writing to George Reid to protest at the severity of the sanctions imposed by Parliament.
"We are confident that by September the Scottish Parliament will have the full compliment of six SSP MSP's sitting in their rightful place in the chamber of the Scottish Parliament."
