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
Deputy Convener
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 9 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
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Equal Opportunities Committee
Member
01 June 2011 - 23 March 2016
Justice Committee
Member
13 March 2013 - 23 March 2016
Justice SubCommittee on Policing
Member
08 March 2013 - 04 April 2014
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
24 June 2011 - 23 October 2012
Parliamentary Liaison Officer to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice
Scottish Government
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 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).
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 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).
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.
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.
I am a member of Amnesty International.
I am a member of Médecins Sans Frontiéres.
[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 member of Oxfam.
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 12 December 2019]
I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
I am a member of Amnesty International.
I am a member of the Scottish Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND).
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 08 November 2017]
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: 21 January 2021
Culpable Homicide (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "I congratulate Claire Baker and her team on getting the bill this far. I am a signatory to the bill and the Scottish Green Party will support it at decision time. There is no dubiety that it is a complicated area of law…
Chamber meeting date: 21 January 2021
Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 1
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "Thank you, Presiding Officer. I congratulate Emma Harper on getting the bill to this point. The Scottish Green Party will support the general principles of the bill at decision time, but I have grave reservations about its content, as it stands…
Chamber meeting date: 20 January 2021
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "I thank the First Minister for early sight of her statement…
Chamber meeting date: 19 January 2021
Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill: Stage 3
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "I am delighted to contribute to the debate. Although I have not been involved in scrutiny of the bill, I have watched its progress and am pleased to see it reach this point…
Chamber meeting date: 19 January 2021
Covert Human Intelligence Sources (Criminal Conduct) Bill
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green): "I do not dispute that there is a need for covert work, and I acknowledge that that may involve some lawbreaking. I am referring to dangerous work such as that which colleagues have outlined…
Votes
How John Finnie has voted in Parliament
Find out how John Finnie has voted recently.
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Result 100 for, 1 against, 21 abstained, 7 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Result 118 for, 1 against, 2 abstained, 8 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Approval of SSI
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Result 96 for, 5 against, 18 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Protecting Scotland’s Health and Care Workforce
Submitted by: Donald Cameron, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Supported by: Maurice Golden
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Result 56 for, 62 against, 5 abstained, 6 no vote
MSP abstained
Vote Defeated
Protecting Scotland’s Health and Care Workforce
Submitted by: Jeane Freeman, Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Supported by: Mairi Gougeon, Clare Haughey
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, January 20, 2021
Result 64 for, 58 against, 0 abstained, 7 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: 18 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will examine making the provision of an assessed number of suitable public conveniences a statutory local authority duty, and ensure that necessary funding is made available to councils to address a reported shortage of this public health resource."
Answered by: Mairi Gougeon on 18 January 2021
Asked by: Finnie, John, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Green Party, Date Lodged: 18 December 2020
"To ask the Scottish Government, when its agencies encourage tourism in the Highlands and Islands, whether they do so following an assessment of the adequacy of basic tourist infrastructure; if they do, whether they publish such assessments, and, if they do not, (a) for what reasons and (b) whether they will set out what evaluation they have made of…
Awaiting answer
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: 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."
Answered by: Roseanna Cunningham on 4 December 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 3 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 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
See all of John Finnie's written questions submitted in Parliament