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: 07825 425717
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 Men's Violence Against Women and Children
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on MS
Deputy Convener
Cross-Party Group in the Scottish Parliament on Rail
Deputy Convener
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 8 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
13 March 2013 - 23 March 2016
Justice SubCommittee on Policing
Member
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Justice Committee
Member
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Equal Opportunities Committee
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 their 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 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).
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 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]
I am a shareholder in Heart of Midlothian FC.
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.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 12 December 2019]
I am a member of Oxfam.
On 27 November 2015 I became a member of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.
I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
I am a member of Amnesty International.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 08 November 2017]
I am a member of Amnesty International.
I am a member of Médecins Sans Frontiéres.
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).
I am a supporter of Save the Children.
I am a member of Heart of Midlothian FC Supporters’ trust.
I am a member of Amnesty International.
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.
Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee meeting date: 17 March 2021
Digital Connectivity
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "Good morning. You have covered a lot of ground already, minister. The word “irony” was used. Oh, the irony of a succession of three Conservative politicians haranguing you…
Chamber meeting date: 17 March 2021
Scotland’s Railway
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "I warmly welcome the cabinet secretary’s statement. We support the full devolution of rail powers. The cabinet secretary said that he would allow the trade unions to make representations…
Chamber meeting date: 17 March 2021
Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "My thanks go to all the people who have brought us to this point…
Chamber meeting date: 17 March 2021
Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "At the outset, I declare my membership of the cross-party group on men’s violence against women and children. That is relevant, because I feel a measure of discomfort with what I am about to say…
Justice Committee meeting date: 16 March 2021
Prisons and Young Offenders Institutions (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Amendment Rules 2021 (SSI 2021/80)
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "It is not my intention to prolong procedures on that, but the letter that we have received from the Howard League, which I often find myself aligning with, raises important issues…
Votes
How John Finnie has voted in Parliament
Find out how John Finnie has voted recently.
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Result 24 for, 95 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted against
Vote Defeated
Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Ash Denham, Edinburgh Eastern, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Monday, March 15, 2021
Supported by: Humza Yousaf
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Result 118 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Result 93 for, 27 against, 0 abstained, 9 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Result 85 for, 25 against, 0 abstained, 19 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Result 83 for, 26 against, 0 abstained, 20 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: 3 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what discussion it has had with Crown Estate Scotland regarding the potential impact on the ScotWind Leasing process of its greenports policy."
Answered by: Paul Wheelhouse on 16 March 2021
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 2 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what actions it will take to address any concerns of coastal communities regarding damage to the marine environment from the further expansion of salmon farming before all the issues outlined in the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee's 2018 Report on the environmental impacts of salmon farming and…
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 15 March 2021
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 26 February 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity’s recent engagement with the Farming and Food Production Future Policy Group, whether it will outline the group’s recommendations to the Parliament, alongside publishing its final report."
Answered by: Fergus Ewing on 12 March 2021
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government how it plans to mitigate any economic damage to the islands as a result of the operation of remote airport towers throughout the HIAL network."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has in place to prevent damage by irresponsible tourists in the Highlands and Islands when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the roll-out of remote electronic monitoring equipment on Scottish inshore fishing vessels."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation (a) it and (b) its agencies undertook prior to the lodging of the Red Rocks and Longay Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2021 in respect of each of the prohibited activities."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what meetings it had with affected commercial and industry bodies regarding the Red Rocks and Longay Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area Order 2021; what was discussed, and whether these meetings changed its proposals."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 11 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government what evidence base it used to prohibit each activity in the Red Rocks and Longay Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area."
Awaiting answer
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 3 March 2021
"To ask the Scottish Government when it last met representatives of Infrastrata to discuss the future of the BiFab yards at Methil and Arnish."
Answered by: Fiona Hyslop on 11 March 2021
See all of John Finnie's written questions submitted in Parliament