THE Scottish Parliament has united to ban members of the Houses of Commons or Lords from taking a seat in Holyrood.

The ban passed as an amendment — moved by Tory MSP Graham Simpson and seconded by Scottish Green Ross Greer — to the  Scottish Elections (Scottish Elections (Representation and Reform) Bill, both garnering full cross-party support on Tuesday.

The amended Bill also bars sex offenders and those convicted of a crime involving hostility towards politicians or electoral staff, while allowing foreign nationals with limited leave to remain to stand for Holyrood.

Mr Simpson told MSPs that he was spurred to pursue his amendment after witnessing the debacle surrounding SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn. 

My Flynn was forced to abandon his bid to stand for Holyrood in 2026 while remaining an MP amid a storm of criticism both inside and outside the SNP.

Mr Simpson told the chamber: “This is not a cosy club, this is a parliament.

“This is not a second-rate chamber to be used as a part-time hobby, this is a serious parliament, and members should be fully focused on their work here.

“Being an MSP demands our full attention, it is a full-time job, we make laws for the people, not to protect the vested interests of individuals or parties.

“Double-jobbing should be consigned to history.”

Echoing his Tory counterpart, Mr Greer said: “The job is a privilege, a huge privilege, but it’s also immensely challenging, and it’s the kind of challenge that requires dedication to the role, a level of dedication I think we would all recognise our constituents expect from us.”

Responding, SNP minister for parliamentary business Jamie Hepburn assured MSPs his party had now banned its MPs from a Holyrood run without resigning, as he offered their support for the move.