Before members can take their seat they must promise to “be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, her heirs and successors”.  But a string of Left-wing politicians expressed their disdain at having to take the oath at the start of the new session. The waive of republican sentiment was labelled “a slap in the face” to the Queen coming just weeks after her 90th birthday.

During yesterday’s ceremony First Minister Nicola Sturgeon echoed predecessor Alex Salmond on similar occasions as she declared the Scottish people are sovereign. BMS Chairman, Thomas Mace-Archer-Mills, commented, “It is not only a slap in the face for almost 65 years of service but at her 90th birthday to be doing this really shows the rest of the Union that Scotland really doesn’t have any sort of respect for Her Majesty”.  To read this article in full please click on the photo to the left or click here.