MSPs sworn in for new term at Scottish Parliament

MSPs sworn in for new term at Scottish Parliament16 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleAngus CochraneSenior political journalist, BBC ScotlandMSPs swear allegiance to the KingMSPs have been officially sworn into the Scottish Parliament following the Holyrood election.All 129 parliamentarians - including 64 first-time MSPs - swore allegiance to the King, either by affirmation or oath during a ceremony in the chamber. The statements were made in a variety of languages, including Scots, Gaelic, Hindi, Polish, Mandarin and French.On the first day of parliamentary business since last week's election, members will also vote to elect a new presiding officer, Holyrood's version of the speaker. Smartly dressed, flowers on lapels and fluffed lines - MSPs swearing in at HolyroodSecurity passes, buddies, and who gets the best office - what awaits the newbies at Holyrood?MSPs donned traditional floral decorations during the ceremony. SNP MSPs wore white roses - a nod to Hugh McDiarmid's 1931 poem The Little White Rose.The Conservatives also wore a white rose - though it was not linked to the nationalist poet. Labour MSPs had their traditional red rose, Reform UK a Scottish heather, the Greens what appeared to be a fuchsia pink gerbera and the Liberal Democrats a mini-mixed bouquet.Some parliamentarians also wore traditional dress reflecting their various backgrounds.The SNP's Karen Adam, carer to her deaf father, made her statement in sign language. Moray representative Laura Mitchell was among those to use a prop during the ceremony.She held a stave of the Clavie - a piece of charred wood from the annual Burghead fire ritual - which is meant to bring good luck.PA MediaPA MediaLib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton took the oath Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay shaking the hand of outgoing Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone Later, MSPs will elected a new presiding officer.The presiding officer chairs debates in the chamber, selects speakers in debat...