Party leaders have condemned Holyrood bosses for restricting reporters’ ability to question MSPs.
The Scottish Parliament announced on Thursday that journalists would be limited to doorstepping politicians directly after First Minister’s Questions to within a designated area.
Reporters often doorstep MSPs, including John Swinney, just outside the chamber after FMQs.
The parliamentary bureau said it had decided to impose the designated spot for the media “following feedback from a range of building users and discussion with all parties”.
Asked three times by reporters from inside the pen whether he agreed with the restrictions, the First Minister said each time: “It is a matter for the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body, not for me.”
The decision has sparked a transparency row and has been condemned by Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.
Reporters attempted to question Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson about it from the pen, but he refused to stop.
Approaching journalists after FMQs on Thursday, Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay removed one of the cords to break the barrier.
Conservative MSP Craig Hoy described the move to restrict the media as “shocking” and said it was a “clear attempt to curb the press”.
This change... risks undermining the ability of accredited journalists to scrutinise elected representatives on behalf of the public
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “The freedom of the press, for you guys to come and ask us difficult questions, it makes it uncomfortable for us sometimes, but that is a fundamental part of our democracy.”
Alex Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, described the pen as “absolutely disgraceful” and “ridiculous”.
He said: “We’re not in an ivory tower here. You should be able to go wherever you want.
“It won’t withstand first contact with reality and I look forward to you being able to chase us around wherever you are.”
Asked from the pen if he supports the restrictions, Scottish Greens co-leader Ross Greer said: “Have a word with some of your colleagues about their behaviour.”
A spokesperson for the Scottish Parliament said: “The decision was taken following feedback from a range of building users and discussion with all parties at the parliamentary Bureau.”
The Scottish Parliamentary Journalists’ Association, the group that represents reporters at Holyrood, was not consulted.
It has written to Holyrood bosses calling for the decision to be “reviewed as a matter of urgency”.
It said: “This change represents a significant departure from established parliamentary practice and risks undermining the ability of accredited journalists to scrutinise elected representatives on behalf of the public.
“Since devolution, Holyrood has rightly taken pride in being a more open, accessible and transparent institution than Westminster.
“The ability of journalists to approach ministers, opposition leaders and backbench MSPs in the public areas of Parliament following debates and major announcements has been a central feature of that culture.”