John Finnie
Scottish Green Party
MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) 2016 - present day
Independent
Former MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) 2012 - 2016
Scottish National Party
Former MSP for Highlands and Islands (Region) 2011 - 2012
About John Finnie
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 6898
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
Room 12, 3rd Floor,
2 Baron Taylor's Street
Inverness
IV1 1QL
Phone: 01463 710194
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
John is a member of 5 committees
Finance and Constitution Committee
Substitute Member
Justice Committee
Member
Justice Sub-Committee on Policing
Convener
Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Substitute Member
Cross-party groups
John is a member of 14 cross-party groups
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Crofting
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Cuba
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Culture
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Drug and Alcohol Misuse
Co-Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Gàidhlig
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Kurdistan
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Men's Violence Against Women and Children
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on MS
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Nuclear Disarmament
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Palestine
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rail
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Recreational Boating and Marine Tourism
Member
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Scottish Gypsy/Traveller Community
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Tourism
Member
Parliamentary and Government Roles
John does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
John has 4 party roles
Party Spokesperson on Communities
Scottish Green Party
Party Spokesperson on Justice
Scottish Green Party
Party Spokesperson on Tourism
Scottish Green Party
Party Spokesperson on Transport
Scottish Green Party
Previous roles
John has had 5 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
06 October 2016 - 18 January 2018
Justice SubCommittee on Policing
Member
29 June 2016 - 29 September 2016
Finance Committee
Substitute Member
11 May 2016 - 15 June 2016
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
02 June 2014 - 23 March 2016
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
08 March 2013 - 04 April 2014
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
Register of interests
John's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for John Finnie. The date of the initial statement was 31 May 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
No registrable interests
Gifts
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
Overseas visits
From 24 to 26 November 2016 I travelled to San Sebastian (Donostia) to address a conference, “Bases for a new model of Public Security in the Basque Country,” on behalf of Euskal Herria Bildu (EH Bildu), as part of the Basque peace process. The cost of the visit was flights £400.87 and hotels of Parma Hotel, Donostia, €92 per night (one night) and two nights at the Carlton Hotel, Bilbao €120.3 per night. All these costs were met by Euskal Herria Bildu (EH Bildu, a political coalition active in the Spanish autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarre of EH Bildu Hondarribia, 20280 Hondarribia, Spain ) [Registered 14 December 2016]
From 24 to 26 November 2016 I travelled to San Sebastian (Donostia) to address a conference, “Bases for a new model of Public Security in the Basque Country,” on behalf of Euskal Herria Bildu (EH Bildu), as part of the Basque peace process. The cost of the visit was flights £400.87 and hotels of Parma Hotel, Donostia, €92 per night (one night) and two nights at the Carlton Hotel, Bilbao €120.3 per night. All these costs were met by Euskal Herria Bildu (EH Bildu, a political coalition active in the Spanish autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarre of EH Bildu Hondarribia, 20280 Hondarribia, Spain ) [Registered 14 December 2016]
From 30 November to 4 December 2012 I visited Gaza in order to assess the social, economic, and political situation six years after the siege was initiated by Israel. The costs of the visit, £864.51, were met by the Council for European Palestinian Relations (CEPR), an independent not-for-profit organisation established to promote dialogue and understanding between European, Palestinian and Arab parliamentarians and policy-makers (of Rue Montoyer 39, Brussels 1000, Belgium).
From 24 to 26 November 2016 I travelled to San Sebastian (Donostia) to address a conference, “Bases for a new model of Public Security in the Basque Country,” on behalf of Euskal Herria Bildu (EH Bildu), as part of the Basque peace process. The cost of the visit was flights £400.87 and hotels of Parma Hotel, Donostia, €92 per night (one night) and two nights at the Carlton Hotel, Bilbao €120.3 per night. All these costs were met by Euskal Herria Bildu (EH Bildu, a political coalition active in the Spanish autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarre of EH Bildu Hondarribia, 20280 Hondarribia, Spain ) [Registered 14 December 2016]
From 30 November to 4 December 2012 I visited Gaza in order to assess the social, economic, and political situation six years after the siege was initiated by Israel. The costs of the visit, £864.51, were met by the Council for European Palestinian Relations (CEPR), an independent not-for-profit organisation established to promote dialogue and understanding between European, Palestinian and Arab parliamentarians and policy-makers (of Rue Montoyer 39, Brussels 1000, Belgium).
From 25 to 26 April 2015 I travelled to Berlin to address the Annual Conference for Palestinians in Europe on behalf of the Council for European Palestinian Relations (CEPR). The cost of the visit, flights €312 and hotel €73 for a total of €385 (£271.71 using 24 June 2015 exchange rate) were met by the CEPR, an independent not-for-profit organisation established to promote dialogue and understanding between European, Palestinian and Arab parliamentarians and policy-makers (of Rue Montoyer 39, Brussels 1000, Belgium).
From 30 November to 4 December 2012 I visited Gaza in order to assess the social, economic, and political situation six years after the siege was initiated by Israel. The costs of the visit, £864.51, were met by the Council for European Palestinian Relations (CEPR), an independent not-for-profit organisation established to promote dialogue and understanding between European, Palestinian and Arab parliamentarians and policy-makers (of Rue Montoyer 39, Brussels 1000, Belgium).
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
No registrable interests
Voluntary
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 12 December 2019]
From 4 November to 7 November 2018, I visited Santander. The costs of the return flights (286.36 euros), hotel accommodation (166.50 euros) and some meals (30 euros) were met by the EHBildu Coalition, which is a leftist, Basque nationalist and pro-independence political coalition active in the Spanish autonomous communities of Basque Country and Navarre. In addition, the costs of some meals were met by the lawyers for the prosecution in the Cabacas trial (14 euros) and the Parliament of the Basque Autonomous Community (10.50 euros). [Registered 12 December 2018]
I am a member of the Retired Police Officers’ Association (Scotland) Highland and Islands Branch.
I am a shareholder in Heart of Midlothian FC.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 08 November 2017]
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 12 December 2019]
I am a member of Oxfam.
I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
I am a member of Amnesty International.
I am a supporter of Save the Children.
I am a member of Amnesty International.
I am a member of Heart of Midlothian FC Supporters’ trust.
I am a member of Médecins Sans Frontiéres.
I am a member of Amnesty International.
I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 12 December 2019]
Since September 2013 I have been a Member of The Foundation of Hearts, a not-for-profit organisation to bring Heart of Midlothian Football Club into fan ownership.
I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
On 27 November 2015 I became a member of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
Recent Activity
What was said
What John Finnie has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
Chamber meeting date: 10 December 2020
Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "Legislation must be seen to make things better, and the bill clearly does that. My party is not represented on the committee, but I thank Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland for its report—the genesis of the bill…
Chamber meeting date: 8 December 2020
Human Rights Day (70th Anniversary)
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "I thank Ruth Maguire for bringing the debate. We see every day how important human rights are. They must be protected. The Justice Committee is scrutinising two pieces of legislation in which rights are important. One is about defamation…
Justice Sub-Committee on Policing meeting date: 7 December 2020
The Convener (John Finnie): "Madainn mhath, a h-uile duine, agus fàilte. Good morning, and welcome to the 12th meeting in 2020 of the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing. We have no apologies. Agenda item 1 is a declaration of interests…
Justice Sub-Committee on Policing meeting date: 7 December 2020
The Convener: "Item 3, which is our main business of the day, is about police complaints and is an evidence session on the final report of the independent review of complaints handling, investigations and misconduct in relation to policing…
Justice Sub-Committee on Policing meeting date: 7 December 2020
Decision on Taking Business in Private
The Convener: "Item 2 is a decision on whether to take items 4 and 5 in private. Item 4 is a review of the evidence that we will hear today and item 5 is consideration of our forward work programme. Do members agree to take those items in private…
Votes
How John Finnie has voted in Parliament
Find out how John Finnie has voted recently.
Responding to Parliamentary Will and Calls for Clarity in Education
Submitted by: John Swinney, Perthshire North, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Supported by: Richard Lochhead, Maree Todd
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 61 for, 62 against, 0 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Economy
Submitted by: Maurice Golden, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 7, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 94 for, 28 against, 0 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Responding to Parliamentary Will and Calls for Clarity in Education
Submitted by: Jamie Greene, West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Monday, December 7, 2020
Supported by: Michelle Ballantyne
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 59 for, 4 against, 61 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 95 for, 25 against, 1 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Economy
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Supported by: Kate Forbes, Fiona Hyslop, Ben Macpherson, Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Result 71 for, 31 against, 22 abstained, 5 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by John Finnie in Parliament
Find out what motions John Finnie has submitted recently.
Written questions
Written questions John Finnie has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 24 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government how much public money has been spent in each of the last five years on (a) new deer fencing, (b) repairing existing deer fencing and (c) deer management for woodland establishment at current deer densities."
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 10 December 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 24 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government how the duty to promote sustainable forest management is being applied in Scotland in relation to sustainable deer management."
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 10 December 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with CalMac Ferries Ltd on measures to track and trace (a) passengers and (b) employees during the COVID-19 pandemic."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 30 November 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what additional funding it has provided to (a) CalMac Ferries Ltd and (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and what impact this has had on the current contract for Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 25 November 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 24 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to define sustainable deer management to promote the delivery of sustainable forest management across Scotland."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason there is no analysis of the impact on other ski centres in the final business case published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular railway."
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 20 November 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the final business case published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular railway has a large number of tables and other information redacted."
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 20 November 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the final business case published by Highlands and Islands Enterprise for the repair of the Cairngorm funicular railway does not explain the need for annual subsidies for the new operating company."
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 20 November 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact that the UK Government’s economic policies in response to COVID-19 have had on (a) the RPI inflation rate and (b) pay settlements for workers in Scotland in each month between March and October 2020."
Answered by: Jamie Hepburn on 19 November 2020
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 5 November 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations of the review of fair trade in Scotland, the report on which was published on 24 February 2020."
Answered by: Jenny Gilruth on 19 November 2020
See all of John Finnie's written questions submitted in Parliament