Debate Night Edinburgh: Who is on the panel and what can we expect following latest political events at Holyrood?

As BBC’s Debate Night is set to feature an Edinburgh virtual audience tonight, here is what we can expect from the topical debating programme.

An audience selected from people in and around Edinburgh will have an hour to put their questions to a panel of politicians and other public figures about the biggest stories affecting the political landscape in Scotland tonight.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, the Edinburgh audience will join in from the comfort and safety of their own homes, however, this will not stop the Capital’s residents from having their opinions platformed.

Who is on the panel?

Tonight's BBC Debate Night will feature a virtual audience in and around Edinburgh (Photo: BBC Scotland).

Joining host Stephen Jardine on the panel of tonight’s programme will be SNP MSP Angela Constance- a member and Scottish Government Minister for Drug Policy and Oliver Mundell- a Scottish Conservative MSP for the Dumfriesshire constituency.

The Scottish Greens Alison Johnstone- MSP for the Lothian region will also be on the panel as well as Scottish Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur- an MSP for Orkney.

What can we expect to come up?

Speaking to BBC's Good Morning Scotland this morning, host Stephen Jardine said panelists will be ‘spoiled for choice’ during what he described as a ‘huge week’ for the First Minister and Scottish politics.

Stephen Jardine said: “On debate night, the audience decide the the questions and the topics of conversation.

“So will events at Holyrood loom large for them?

“Tonight we find out.

"This evening, our audience join us from the comfort and safety of their homes in and around Edinburgh where events have unfolded at Holyrood over the course of this week.”

We are likely to see questions on inquiries surrounding First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, after the James Hamilton inquiry found the FM did not break the ministerial code this week.

Questions over the Scottish Government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic are also likely.

Where and when can I watch?

The programme will be on air from 10.30pm tonight, March 24 on BBC Scotland as well as at the same time on BBC radio Scotland.

People can also have their say on ‘Debate Night Extra’ on BBC Radio Scotland from 11.30pm this evening.

Questions and thoughts can also be posted on social media anytime using the hashtag #BBCDN

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