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- HM The Queen appoints Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone to Privy Council
HM The Queen appoints Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone to Privy Council
16 March 2022
The appointment was made at a meeting earlier today in the presence of Her Majesty.
Ms Johnstone is now the sixth Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament to carry the title of Right Honourable.
The Rt Hon Elin Jones MA, Llywydd of the Senedd, was admitted at the same meeting.
The Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone said:
“It was a great privilege to be elected Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament last May, and it was an honour to be made a Privy Counsellor by Her Majesty The Queen this afternoon.
“This appointment is recognition of the important role the Scottish Parliament and the Office of Presiding Officer plays and I am pleased to accept it.”
Background
Her Majesty The Queen is Head of the Privy Council. Its origins date from the court of the Norman kings, which met in private - hence the description 'privy'.
It is one of the oldest parts of Government, and responsible for a number of executive functions.
There are currently around 720 Privy Counsellors, whose appointments are for life. The Presiding Officer will now formally be titled “The Right Honourable" Alison Johnstone MSP.