Strathkelvin MSP awarded leading role in Justice Committee

Deputy convenership of a prominent Scottish Parliament committee has gone to Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP Rona Mackay.

The Scottish National Party MSP was elected recently to the role of deputy convener of the Justice Committee.

The body is tasked with conducting inquiries, scrutinising legislation and holding the government to account on justice matters.

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As Scotland has a fully devolved legal system, the committee is a vital organ of Scottish democracy.

It will meet every Tuesday while the parliament is in session.

Rona’s role of deputy convener will see her chair meetings in the absence of the convener, Tory MSP Margaret Mitchell.

The Strathkelvin and Bearsden MSP said: “I’m very proud to be elected into the role of deputy convener of the Justice Committee at the Scottish Parliament.

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“As criminal justice and law in Scotland is fully devolved, it makes the role of the committee very important.

“I’ll be learning on the job to an extent, as this is my first term as an MSP, but I’m really looking forward to progressing in this role and to the business of the committee.”

Rona has also been selected for the Public Petitions Committee, which meets once every fortnight on Tuesdays when parliament is in session. This committee considers public petitions to be addressed and debated by parliament.

Much of the work of the Scottish Parliament is done in committees, and given there is no second chamber they are stronger than in other parliaments.

They are also seen as a way of strengthening backbenchers in Holyrood.