Scotland's newest MSP Davy Russell sworn into Parliament

Scotland’s newest Labour MSP Davy Russell was sworn into Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.

Russell is the new MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse after Labour secured victory in the tight contest last Thursday by just 602 votes.

He took the oath of office just after the Scottish Parliament session began at 2pm on Tuesday.

He raised his right hand and swore to bear “faithful and true allegiance”.

Then he walked across the Scottish Parliament floor for the first time to shake Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone’s hand.

It’s the first political office Russell has ever held.

Speaking outside of the Scottish Parliament before being sworn in, Scottish Labour’s newest MSP said his by-election victory could be a “springboard” to his party winning power at Holyrood next year.

Scotland's newest Labour MSP Davy Russell was sworn into Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. — Scotland’s newest Labour MSP Davy Russell was sworn into Scottish Parliament on Tuesday afternoon. STV News

Russell said he was at Holyrood to “fight” for people from the area.

“I have listened to them for weeks and now I am going to take their case forward, so it is the springboard for Scottish Labour to take the reins and be in charge of the Scottish Government come next May,” he said.

Welcoming Russell to Holyrood, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar insisted that voters in the constituency “have led the way in the pathway to electing a Scottish Labour government next year”.

Sarwar said: “Next year we are going to remove the SNP from office and we are going to elect a Scottish Labour government.”

In a campaign video, Russell previously said he has “never stood for election before.”

“I’m standing in this by-election because this is where I was born, where I live, and where I’ve raised my family,” he previously said.

His victory last week came despite First Minister John Swinney having declared the contest to be a two-horse race between the SNP and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.

When the votes were counted, Russell polled 8,559, with the SNP’s Katy Loudon coming second on 7,957, ahead of Reform’s Ross Lambie, who secured 7,088 votes.

Moments after the declaration, Russell said: “I’m so proud to be elected MSP for my home and my community.”

“Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse voted tonight to take a new direction with Scottish Labour.

“Like the people of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse – and right across Scotland – we all feel we’ve been let down by the SNP. After nearly two decades [in power], they don’t deserve another chance.”

Russell said his election also sent a message to “Nigel Farage and his mob” tonight.

He added: “The poison of Reform isn’t us, it isn’t Scotland, and we don’t want your division here.