Michael Russell
Scottish National Party
MSP for Argyll and Bute (Constituency) 2011 - present day
Former MSP for South of Scotland (Region) 2007 - 2011
Former MSP for South of Scotland (Region) 1999 - 2003
About Michael Russell
Contact details
Contact at the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament
Edinburgh
EH99 1SP
Phone: 0131 348 5738
Text relay calls welcome.
Contact at their Constituency
81 Argyll Street
Dunoon
PA23 7DH
Phone: 01369 702011
Text relay calls welcome.
Find out when the MSP's surgery times are on their website.
Committees
Michael is not a member of any committees
Cross-party groups
Michael is not a member of any cross-party groups
Parliamentary and Government Roles
Michael does not have any parliamentary or government roles
Party Roles
Michael does not have any party roles
Previous roles
Michael has had 14 previous roles
Previous roles in cross-party groups are not included in this list.
15 June 2016 - 27 August 2016
Conveners Group
Member
08 June 2016 - 15 June 2016
Finance Committee
Member
21 January 2016 - 23 March 2016
Standards Procedures and Public Appointments Committee
Member
27 November 2014 - 23 March 2016
Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee
Member
27 November 2014 - 05 November 2015
Justice Committee
Substitute Member
25 May 2011 - 21 November 2014
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning
Scottish Government
03 December 2009 - 25 May 2011
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning
Scottish Government
10 February 2009 - 01 December 2009
Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution
Scottish Government
17 May 2007 - 10 February 2009
Minister for Environment
Scottish Government
17 June 1999 - 31 March 2003
Education Culture and Sport Committee
Member
27 June 2001 - 31 March 2003
Party Spokesperson on Education and Young People
Scottish National Party
17 June 1999 - 01 November 2000
Procedures Committee
Member
17 May 1999 - 26 September 2000
Party Spokesperson on Parliamentary Business
Scottish National Party
17 May 1999 - 26 September 2000
Parliamentary Bureau
Member
Register of interests
Michael's register of interests
MSPs must provide details of their financial interests in the Register of Interests. They make an initial statement on becoming or being returned as an MSP. This is then updated with any changes they provide.
Here is the register for Michael Russell. The date of their initial statement was 18 May 2016.
Remuneration and related undertaking
From 11 May 2015 until 1 September 2016 I was Professor in Scottish Culture and Governance at the University of Glasgow (an institution of higher education and research of Gilbert Scott Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ). I received remuneration of between £15,001 and £20,000 per annum. My duties included: two public lectures per year; a number of lectures and seminars for students; research on cultural and governance issues; work with alumni; and general advice to the Principal and Senior Management Team. My hours in this role varied but I estimate that the time commitment was approximately 40 days per year. As a result of my appointment as Minister for UK Negotiations on Scotland's Place in Europe, the contract for this employment will be suspended whilst I am in Government. [Amended interest 01 September 2016]
Gifts
On 1 March 2019, on a pre-opening visit to the new Ardnahoe Distillery on Islay in my constituency, I was presented by the owners, Hunter Laing & Co Ltd , with a bottle of Bunnabhain 27 Year Old Whisky from their “Old & Rare” Range which retails at £325. [Registered 9 March 2019]
On Friday 26 May 2017 I attended the “Remarks by the Honourable Barack H Obama” charitable event in Edinburgh organised by the Hunter Foundation as a guest of Macklin Enterprise Partnerships Ltd (an equity investment and specialist advice company, of 205 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5QD). The cost of hospitality for the evening was £2,400 which was met by Macklin Enterprise Partnerships Ltd. [Registered 14 June 2017]
Overseas visits
On 14-17 September 2015, I visited Bosnia as part of a delegation organised by the charitable initiative Remembering Srebrenicia, which is a project of the charity Ummah Help (of Newland House, 2nd Floor, 137-139 Hagley Road, Birmingham, B16 8UA). The visit was part of the ‘Lessons from Srebrenica’ educational visits programme. The costs of the visit were met by Remembering Srebrenicia and amounted to £428 for flights and £186.41 for other costs including accommodation, food and transport during the visit, with a total cost of £614.41.
Controlled transactions
No registrable interests
Heritable property
No registrable interests
Interest in shares
[Ceased interest removed from entry: 14 June 2018]
Voluntary
I am a member of the Association for Scottish Literary Studies.
On 27 October 2020 I was gifted a framed poem by William Wolfe. The value of this gift was £100 and was given to me by the Scottish Poetry Library. [Registered 30 October 2020]
On 30 June 2015 I attended meetings in London arranged by the not for profit US Heritage Foundation, Cyark. I received reimbursement for my expenses (travel and subsistence) of £590 from Cyark on 10 August 2015.
I am a Patron of the Cowal Way, which is a long distance path within my constituency. I receive no remuneration for this role. [Registered 7 September 2018]
I am a member of the Scottish Flag Trust at Athelstaneford.
On 16 November 2018 my wife and I attended the 9th annual SNP St Andrew's Night Dinner at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel in Glasgow, as the guest of Community Windpower Ltd. Estimated total cost of hospitality £150. [Registered 18 November 2018]
I am a member of the Glasgow Art Club.
On 6 January 2017 my wife and I were guests of the NFUS , Bute Branch, on the occasion of their AGM at the Kingarth Hotel, Bute. We were given dinner, bed & breakfast for two with an estimated value of £100. [Registered 10 January 2017]
I am a member of the Scottish Episcopal Church associated with the congregations in Rothesay and Dunoon.
I am a member of the University and College Union.
I am an Honorary Vice President of the European Movement in Scotland. I receive no remuneration for this role. [Registered 16 March 2017]
On election in 2007 I resigned from active membership of Lodge 1120, Kyles of Bute, to which I had been admitted in December 2004.
I am a member of the Saltire Society.
I am a member of ACHA (the Argyll Community Housing Association).
I am a Trustee of the Baird of Bute Society, based in Rothesay which exists to organise the annual commemoration of Rothesay Blacksmith Andrew Baird who built and flew the first Scottish heavier than air machine from Ettrick Bay, Bute in September 1910. The society gives annual awards for aviation and science and promotes enterprise, innovation and aspiration by means of school activity and an annual science scholarship. I receive no remuneration for this role.
I am a member of the Colintraive and Glendaruel Development Trust. I receive no remuneration for this role.
I am a member of the Wine Society in which I own one share worth twenty pounds.
On 17 May I undertook at visit to Glen Scotia Distillery in Campbeltown to launch their contribution to the Campbeltown Malt Whisky Festival and was presented with a bottle of 18 year old Glen Scotia Whisky , first fill from a bourbon cask, with a commemorative label, estimated value £250. [Registered 23 May 2019]
I am a weekly contributor to the Sunday National, for which I receive no remuneration. [Registered 23 May 2019]
Until August 2020 I was the Honorary President of the Scottish Creel Fishermen’s Federation. I received no remuneration for this role. [Registered 7 September 2018, Amended Interest 20 August 2020, Ceased Interest 20 August 2020]
I have a contract with Scottish Hydro for the feed in tariff for solar PV panels on my house. I estimate that this will generate approximately £1,000 a year.
On 8 July 2018 I accepted an invitation to become an Honorary President of the Clyde Fisherman’s Association. I receive no remuneration for this role. [Registered 8 July 2018]
On 27 July 2016 my wife and I were the guests of David and Jean Ainslie who own Sea Life Adventures (of Clachan, Seil), on one of the company's wildlife trips to Corryvreckan , Jura & Scarba. The value of this trip was £128. [Registered 02 August 2016]
On 14 February 2017 I was notified by the University of Glasgow that I have been appointed, by the University Court, as an Honorary Professor in the College of Arts. This is an unpaid position and runs from 1 February 2017 to 31 March 2021. [Registered 15 February 2017]
On 16 November 2018 I won a prize in a raffle held at the SNP St Andrew’s Night Dinner at the Doubletree by Hilton in Glasgow, which was a voucher for two nights dinner bed and breakfast for two people at that hotel, total estimated worth £400 and redeemable before 16 November 2019. [Registered 18 November 2018]
I am a member of the Scottish Society for the History of Photography.
Recent Activity
What was said
What Michael Russell has said in Parliament
These are the official transcripts of what was said by this MSP in the chamber and at committee meetings. You'll find the topic discussed and how many times this MSP has contributed to the discussion.
COVID-19 Committee meeting date: 25 February 2021
Ministerial Statement
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell): "Thank you, convener. I do not have legislation or regulations to propose this week, but I will make a brief statement about the First Minister’s statement and the progress that we are making on the pandemic…
Chamber meeting date: 24 February 2021
Prisoner Voting
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell): "Again and again, the Conservatives come to the chamber and denounce the choice of topic for a statement or a debate…
Chamber meeting date: 18 February 2021
Independence Referendum (Draft Bill)
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell): "As we set out in the programme for government, we will publish a draft bill for an independence referendum before the end of this parliamentary session. That is still our intention, and I will update the Parliament on that in due course…
Chamber meeting date: 18 February 2021
Independence Referendum (Resourcing)
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell): "On 18 March 2020, I wrote to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to confirm that the Scottish Government has paused work to prepare for an independence referendum in order to focus on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic…
Chamber meeting date: 18 February 2021
Legislative Consent
The Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, Europe and External Affairs (Michael Russell): "The only answer to that question is to say that Scotland must become independent, because an independent Parliament would not be subject to such restrictions…
Votes
How Michael Russell has voted in Parliament
Find out how Michael Russell has voted recently.
Scottish Parliamentary Standards (Sexual Harassment and Complaints Process) Bill
Submitted by: Bill Kidd, Glasgow Anniesland, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 4, 2021
Result 119 for, 0 against, 0 abstained, 10 no vote
MSP not voted
Vote Passed
Pre-release Access to Official Statistics (Scotland) Bill
Submitted by: Gordon Lindhurst, Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Supported by: Andy Wightman
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, March 4, 2021
Result 62 for, 0 against, 56 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP not voted
Vote Passed
Campaign Recess
Submitted by: Graeme Dey, Angus South, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Result 95 for, 1 against, 21 abstained, 12 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Recovery
Submitted by: Monica Lennon, Central Scotland, Scottish Labour. Date lodged: Monday, March 1, 2021
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Result 84 for, 34 against, 0 abstained, 11 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Scotland’s Recovery
Submitted by: Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, Scottish National Party. Date lodged: Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Supported by: Fiona Hyslop, Ivan McKee
Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Result 84 for, 33 against, 0 abstained, 12 no vote
MSP voted for
Vote Passed
Motions
Motions made by Michael Russell in Parliament
Find out what motions Michael Russell has submitted recently.
Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions and Requirements) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2021 (SSI 2021/117)
Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts (Amendment of Expiry Dates) Regulations 2021 [draft]
Written questions
Written questions Michael Russell has submitted in Parliament
These are the questions that this MSP has asked the Scottish Government about its work. It also includes any answer to these questions.
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 19 August 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01335 by Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016, whether it will ask Cal Mac Ferries to provide more detail regarding the precise commercial risks that are anticipated if the requested information was made available to communities given that there is a publicly subsidised…
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 7 September 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 19 August 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01335 by Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016, whether it will ask Cal Mac Ferries to release the information requested on the basis of a non-disclosure agreement with named individuals in communities served by these routes in order to allow research into, and informed…
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 7 September 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 22 August 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government in what circumstances local authorities are allowed to charge for music tuition held in school during the normal school day as an option on the timetable."
Answered by: John Swinney on 6 September 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 8 July 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it will instruct Transport Scotland to collect data from 1 August 2016 for a period of 12 months on (a) unsuccessful attempts to book vehicles on CalMac Ferries to Islay, Coll, Tiree, Colonsay and Mull and the reasons; (b) cancellations of sailings on these routes and the reasons for such…
Answered by: Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 7 July 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government what consultation it expects to have with the BBC director of nations and regions and what guarantees about such consultation the BBC's director general has given."
Answered by: Fiona Hyslop on 2 August 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 7 July 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government when it will make an announcement about goose management payments for 2016-17 and any new or developed scheme for goose management on Islay."
Answered by: Roseanna Cunningham on 2 August 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 7 July 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government when it was informed that the senior BBC manager in Scotland would no longer sit on the BBC's executive board and what its reaction was."
Answered by: Fiona Hyslop on 2 August 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 7 July 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government what progress it is making with regard to (a) establishing a new scheme to assist farmers and crofters on Islay with goose management and (b) compensating them for damage caused by geese to grasslands and crops."
Answered by: Roseanna Cunningham on 2 August 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 7 July 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government whether it considers that the restructuring of BBC senior management announced on 6 July 2016 will place the BBC senior manager in Scotland nearer, or further from, significant decision-making structures within the organisation."
Answered by: Fiona Hyslop on 2 August 2016
Asked by: Russell, Michael, Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party, Date Lodged: 4 July 2016
"To ask the Scottish Government when the Highland Self Builld Loan Fund will be made available in Argyll and Bute."
Answered by: Kevin Stewart on 1 August 2016
See all of Michael Russell's written questions submitted in Parliament