Blitz on mice at Scottish Parliament

It looks like mice have moved into the Scottish Parliament while MSPs are spending more time working from home.

The MSP block at the Scottish Parliament Photo: Scottish Parliament

Holyrood staff are to carry out a deep clean of MSPs’ offices this weekend in a bid to stamp out the problem.

And the situation has revived talk of the parliament getting a cat to keep the mice at bay.

MSPs were sent a note informing them of the weekend blitz: “Please note that Facilities Management will be working around the MSP block this Saturday and Sunday carrying out pest prevention measures in all offices, meeting rooms and circulation areas.

“This will include applying treatment to carpets and deep cleaning beneath the heating grilles. You may notice that items have been moved, but we will do our best to leave everything as we find it. All offices will be sanitised as normal afterwards.”

One politician said: “It’s been clear that with the reduced number of MSPs and with MSP staff not being allowed into parliament it’s presented an opportunity for our the little furry friends to run rampage through the parliament.

“I’ve seen a few checking out the ministerial cars in the parliament car park. I think it’s time the parliament recruited a Holyrood cat to help address the problem. Whilst the MSPs are away the mice will play.”

In 2103, SNP MSP Christine Grahame, who now represents Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, called for "a resident cat as a humane mouse deterrent".

And the idea was backed by Lothian Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale. She said: "There's a cat at Number Ten, so why not the Scottish Parliament?"

But the proposal was rejected by the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, which is in charge of the building.

Two years ago a mouse starred in a live broadcast of the parliament’s education committee, creeping along the base of the wall as Labour's Johann Lamont was addressing fellow committee members.

A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said: “Routine pest prevention measures are scheduled to take place within the MSP block over the weekend. This is one of several basic measures being taken to clean and refresh the building in preparation for the next session.”

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