Holyrood’s parties have offered to cooperate on improving security after the death threat against Russell Findlay.
The Scottish Conservative leadership hopeful revealed in Saturday’s Scottish Daily Mail he was warned by police of a fresh underworld plot to murder him.
The former journalist, who was injured in a previous gangland attack, was informed shortly before launching his leadership bid a week ago.
The threat may be linked to a failed hit at Mr Findlay’s home in 2015, when hired hitman William Burns threw acid in his face in front of his 10-year-old daughter.
Mr Findlay overpowered his attacker and Burns was sentenced to ten years in jail.
Tory MSP Russell Findlay was recently informed by Police Scotland of a plot to murder him
However the thug has a parole hearing this week and could be free within days.
Mr Findlay, 51, a West Scotland MSP since 2021, has said he will ‘not be cowed by bullies’.
He received support yesterday from other parties and potential leadership rivals.
Labour business manager Martin Whitfield MSP said: ‘The unacceptable threats made to Mr Findlay serve only to underline the importance of safeguarding public representatives.
‘Every party should be prepared to put politics aside and co-operate with the parliament to ensure we have the best possible procedures in place to keep politicians safe.’
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: ‘Threats must always be treated with the utmost seriousness and the protections offered to elected representatives kept under constant review.’
An SNP spokesman added: ‘The SNP is willing to work with the parliamentary authorities, the police and other political parties to ensure that all MPs, MSPs and Councillors are free to carry out their duties without fear or concern for their safety.’
Tory MSP Murdo Fraser, who is likely to run for the leadership, said it was ‘horrendous’ that someone in public life faced such threats and expressed ‘solidarity’ with Mr Findlay.
He told the Mail: ‘Sadly Russell’s experience is not unique.
‘Many colleagues have faced similar threats.
‘The police have been very supportive in such cases, and the Parliament as an institution has been proactive in offering additional security advice, and financial support for personal and office interventions, such as attack alarms.’
MSP Graham Simpson, who is also considering a leadership challenge, added: ‘I was extremely concerned to read that police told Russell there was a death threat against him.. I hope he’s getting all the help he can get both from the police and from the parliament.’
Holyrood last had a major review of its security after the fatal stabbing of Southend Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021.
More than 250 GPS panic alarms were issued to MSPs and staff and 108 local offices checked by police, who also offered all 129 MSPs home security surveys.
A trial service monitoring the social media abuse of 38 MSPs, which reported 460 comments to the police in 10 months, was made permanent at a cost of £125,000 a year.
