Scottish Parliament's COVID-19 committee now discussing Freedom of Information.

@JennyGilruth says transitional arrangements are needed for timescales - but the original changes not only took immediate effect, they were also retroactively applied!

It's always fun listening to an SNP minister talk about how much their party loves FOI.

@JennyGilruth says transitional arrangements needed to protect public bodies, but the Scottish Information Commissioner had already said they would give authorities leeway.

A point that she has then gone on to make herself. I'd maybe have proof-read that prepared statement a bit more closely.

@MonicaLennon7 now speaking to the amendments lodged by @NeilFindlay_MSP

@agcolehamilton up now. Says his amendment includes a drafting error that will be corrected if passed.

And @Ross_Greer next. The Greens originally supported the Scottish Government's move to make restrictions to FOI but now want to see the changes revoked.

He says they will only keep 2 changes: allowing notices to be sent electronically (good idea) and explicitly giving the SIC leeway on judgements over failure to meet deadlines. But those deadlines would go back to their previous status.

Finally, @ProfTomkins, who points out that all 4 opposition parties as "completely agreed" about the need to restore FOI.

He also challenges Jenny Gilruth's argument that transition arrangements are needed, pointing out that the last changes were immediate and retrospective and that therefore "the government's own logic" states that these changes must be the same.

He also reiterates that amendments will still give the Comnissioner the necessarily leeway in terms of public bodies meeting deadlines.

He also supports an amendment by @NeilFindlay_MSP which puts the public interest at the forefront of decision making regarding authorities failing to meet deadlines. @Ross_Greer had previously said he felt it was unclear.

Scottish Government amendment 7: REJECTED by 5 votes to 4

@NeilFindlay_MSP's amendment 48: PASSED by 5 votes to 4

@agcolehamilton's amendments are both withdrawn as other amendments achieve the same outcome.

@Ross_Greer's amendment 11: PASSED without a vote

@Ross_Greer's amendment 12: PASSED without a vote

@Ross_Greer's amendment 13: PASSED without a vote

@ProfTomkins confirms he doesn't now need to move his amendment

@MonicaLennon7 moves amendment 45 (from @NeilFindlay_MSP): PASSED by 5 votes to 4

Opposition parties stuck together, rejected the government's arguments and - as things stand - will be repealing recent changes to FOI law in Scotland