Lib Dem Liam McArthur puts name forward to be Holyrood’s next presiding officer

The MSP who spearheaded a bid to legalise assisted dying in Scotland has announced he is running to be Holyrood’s next presiding officer.

Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur said he believes he has “the experience, skills and temperament for this important role”.

For the last five years he has been one of the deputy presiding officers at the Scottish Parliament – with Mr McArthur adding he is confident he could be the next presiding officer while also being an “effective” MSP for the Orkney constituency.

His announcement comes ahead of MSPs voting on Thursday to decide who will succeed Alison Johnstone as the parliament’s next presiding officer.

No other candidates have yet formally declared, but there has been speculation that SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson, the long serving convener of the Finance Committee, could also run.

Announcing his bid, Mr McArthur said: “It has been the privilege of my life to represent Orkney in the Scottish Parliament over the past 19 years.

“My responsibility to constituents and our island community has been and will remain my priority over the next five years.”

But he said: “After careful reflection, many discussions with colleagues, friends and my family, I have decided to put my name forward for election as the next presiding officer.

“I believe I have the experience, skills and temperament for this important role and, crucially, that I can carry out those responsibilities while remaining an accessible and effective MSP for Orkney.”

In an email sent to all 129 MSPs at Holyrood, the Liberal Democrat added: “I am under no illusions about the challenges that face all those elected to this session of Parliament.

“I am ready to play my full part in enabling Parliament to rise to those challenges and hope that MSP colleagues across the parties will put their trust in me in the vote on Thursday afternoon.”