Ridiculed MSP says chest infection and lack of sleep led to committee blunder

An MSP who faced ridicule over a blunder at a Holyrood committee has said she suffered a "momentary lapse" brought on by lack of sleep and a chest infection.

Collette Stevenson, who has represented East Kilbride for the SNP since 2021 and is a member of the transport committee, was criticised after asking if Transport Scotland was a registered charity.

Transport Scotland director Graeme Cook then explained to her that it was a national agency which was part of the Scottish government.

Posting on Facebook, Stevenson said her illness had affected her concentration, and said she had been subjected to "misogynistic bullying" following the incident.

The 57-year-old added that she later took a week off work, on medical advice, to recuperate.

She posted: "During a recent committee evidence session, I experienced a momentary lapse in my questioning regarding the status of Transport Scotland.

"I was in the early stages of a severe chest infection, which affected my sleep and, in turn, my concentration.

"On medical advice, and following a flare up of asthma, I have taken this week off from Parliament to recuperate and allow the various medications to work, so I can focus on making a full recovery."