Председатель парламента Шотландии потребовал объяснений у члена партии Reform UK за досрочный уход из дебатов

A REFORM MSP has been rapped by the presiding officer after breaking Holyrood rules and walking out of a debate on child poverty. Julie MacDougall, a MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, opened the debate on eradicating child poverty for Reform UK in the Holyrood chamber on Thursday afternoon. Holyrood rules state: “If you wish to participate in a debate, you should attend the whole debate. As a minimum, you must be present during all of the opening and closing speeches.” However, MacDougall left the chamber around 4pm, the Holyrood livestream shows, more than an hour before the debate closed. At 3.53pm, MacDougall posted on social media to claim that the SNP had been “shouting me down in the chamber today in their usual rude fashion”. READ MORE: Malcolm Offord panned for 'disinformation' after repeating debunked claims at FMQs Her absence was called out by Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville during the debate. Deputy Presiding Officer Katy Clark responded that officials were aware. After the debate finished, the issue was raised by Presiding Officer Kenny Gibson, who called for MacDougall to explain why she had left. “I'd like to remind all members who have an opening speech in a debate that they must also be in the chamber for closing speeches,” he said. “I'm very disappointed that someone who spoke in the opening part of this debate is not even here at this stage [when voting was to begin].” “So, I would expect that person to provide an explanation for me at the earliest possible opportunity,” Gibson added. Reform UK have been asked for a response.