John Swinney has said it would be “dangerous” for him to intervene in the Scottish Parliament’s decision to restrict reporters’ access to question MSPs.
The First Minister said it would not be right for him to “regulate” the decisions of Holyrood bosses, saying: “I don’t run the Parliament – I’m the servant of the Parliament”.
The SNP leader pledged to be available for reporters’ questions “wherever and whenever the questions are asked”.
Last week, Holyrood officials introduced a so-called “media pen” that restricted reporters’ movements in the Members’ Lobby, a place between the main Chamber and the access to the Ministerial Tower and Garden Lobby.
Journalists often wait in the Members’ Lobby as MSPs come out of the Chamber following FMQs to question, or “doorstep”, them.
The parliamentary bureau said it decided to set up a designated spot for the media after “feedback from a range of building users and discussions with all parties”.
However, it has sparked a row over transparency and has been condemned by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) as well as Labour, the Tories and Lib Dems.
"The Scottish Parliament was founded on the principles of openness and accountability, so it is inexplicable that the Presiding Officer has made a decision that restricts legitimate scrutiny," said Nick McGowan-Lowe, @NUJScotland national organiser.https://t.co/eCAcGkvIpR
— NUJ (@NUJofficial) June 19, 2026
Asked whether the pen should continue, the First Minister refused to express an opinion.
He told the Press Association: “It’s up to the Parliament. It’s not for me to regulate the decisions of the parliamentary authorities – I think that gets us into a dangerous place.
“I don’t run the Parliament – I’m a servant of the Parliament.
“I’m simply saying that I answer questions from journalists all the time. You know that. You ask me the questions, you get your answers, and I’m available for all these questions wherever and whenever the questions are asked.”
Mr Swinney stressed that he is “readily available” to answer questions after FMQs, which he does most weeks.
He said: “I don’t think there is any difficulty or obstruction wherever journalists are located in Parliament of being able to ask me questions on a regular basis about what I think about this, that, or the other, and I’m always open and available for questioning, and always will be.”
The NUJ said the move was “inexplicable” and warned it would “restrict legitimate scrutiny”.
The union said it had written to the Holyrood Corporate Body calling for it to be overturned.
The Scottish Parliamentary Journalists’ Association (SPJA), the group which represents reporters at Holyrood, said it was not consulted on the decision.
In a letter to the presiding officer and the chief executive of the Parliament, it warned the move “creates a physical and symbolic barrier between elected representatives and those tasked with holding them to account”.
Reporters attempted to question Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson from the pen on Thursday, the day it was erected, but he refused to stop.
Asked if he agreed with it, Ross Greer, Scottish Green leader, said as he passed the pen: “Have a word with some of your colleagues about their behaviour.”
Russell Findlay condemned the move, with the Scottish Tory leader physically removing one of the cords to break the barrier on Thursday afternoon. His Tory colleague Craig Hoy said the move to restrict the media was “shocking” and a “clear attempt to curb the press”.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton also condemned the move, as did Reform UK MSP Thomas Kerr.
The Scottish Parliament has been asked whether the pen will remain in place this week.