Former Tory leader Douglas Ross kicked out during FMQs

Former Tory leader Douglas Ross was ordered to leave the Scottish Parliament during First Minister’s Questions on Thursday.

He could be heard shouting from his seat after John Swinney raised the impact of Brexit on farmers.

Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone said: “Mr Ross, you have persistently refused to abide by standing orders. I would ask you to leave the chamber and you are excluded for the rest of the day.

She added: “I have asked you to leave the chamber please do so.”

Ross can be seen to raise his eyebrows after being ordered to leave as he remains seated.

As the First Minister begins to continue speaking, he is interrupted by the Presiding Officer who asks Ross to leave again.

“Mr Ross, I’ve asked you to leave the chamber, please do so,” she said.

Ross then gathers his belongings and walks out of the chamber.

The exchange occurred after Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay challenged Swinney over his Government’s climate targets.

Just last week, the Climate Change Committee warned that Scotland needs to take “immediate action at pace and scale” to cut its emissions if it wants to meet its net-zero by 2045 targets.

Findlay warned that the “urgent actions” could include a 25% reduction in the number of cattle and sheep in Scotland.

He said this would “drive farmers out of business, destroy the rural economy and put food security at risk”.

Findlay challenged the First Minister to rule out proposals that would reduce the number sheep and cattle in Scotland.

Swinney said his Government is carefully considering the Climate Committee’s advice and will set out its proposals in due course.

“I take the commitment to support the future of Scottish agriculture very seriously,” Swinney said.

“That’s always been reflected in our policy priorities.”

He added that Brexit, “which Mr Findlay supported… damaged the economic opportunities” for farmers in Scotland.

That’s when Tory MSPs – including Ross – could be heard shouting from the sidelines.

After Ross was admonished, Tory MSP Douglas Lumsden was asked to refrain from shouting from his seat as well.

Swinney faces FMQs one week before crucial by-election

John Swinney faces questions from opposition leaders at Holyrood on Thursday, one week before the crucial by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Tory leader Russell Findlay will take turns challenging the First Minister about issues facing the nation

Backbenchers will then have the chance to challenge Swinney about their concerns.

Swinney will be asked for an update about the Scottish Government’s latest engagement with Westminster over plans for the winter fuel payment.

Lib-Dem MSP Willie Rennie will challenge the First Minister over funding for the University of Dundee.

Rennie is planning to ask Swinney why there has been “no financial agreement between the Scottish Funding Council and the University of Dundee, in light of the alternative financial recovery plan being launched four weeks ago”.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon plans to ask Swinney about what the Scottish Government is doing to keep pace with the EU on environmental protections.

Meanwhile, Tory MSP Stephen Kerr will ask the First Minister about the Government’s £60m commitment five years ago to renew every play park in Scotland.