S7M-01844: Face Coverings in Public Places

The motion

That the Parliament notes the ongoing debate across Scotland regarding the wearing of full-face coverings, including the burqa and niqab, in public places; recognises that legislation in Scotland already provides police with powers to require the removal of face coverings in specified circumstances where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are being used to conceal identity in connection with criminality or disorder; notes the Scottish Government’s current position that existing police powers are sufficient; further notes that a number of European countries have introduced restrictions on face coverings in public places, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to set out its assessment of the potential benefits of introducing further restrictions on full-face coverings in public places, including consideration of public safety, individual liberty and community cohesion.

What MSPs voted on: the motion as amended

Reform UK’s motion was rewritten by an SNP amendment (S7M-01844.2) before this vote. A vote ‘for’ was a vote for the SNP’s wording.

That the Parliament

126 words removed by S7M-01844.2

notes the ongoing debate across Scotland regarding the wearing of full-face coverings, including the burqa and niqab, in public places; recognises that legislation in Scotland already provides police with powers to require the removal of face coverings in specified circumstances where there are reasonable grounds to believe that they are being used to conceal identity in connection with criminality or disorder; notes the Scottish Government’s current position that existing police powers are sufficient; further notes that a number of European countries have introduced restrictions on face coverings in public places, and notes calls for the Scottish Government to set out its assessment of the potential benefits of introducing further restrictions on full-face coverings in public places, including consideration of public safety, individual liberty and community cohesion.

S7M-01844.2 SNP acknowledges that it is not for Parliament to legislate for what women choose to wear, and agrees that parliamentarians should lead by example in rejecting the language and actions of those who seek to divide Scotland's communities in person and online.

Final wording as read into the Official Report at Decision Time. The marked changes are worked out by this site from the amendment texts and match that wording.

Amendments

S7M-01844.2 SNP Kirsten Oswald Agreed vote, 83–24
S7M-01844.1 Liberal Democrat Yi-pei Chou Turvey Fell (worked out by this site: the Presiding Officer announced it would fall if another amendment was agreed, and that one was)
S7M-01844.3 Conservative Stephen Kerr Fell (worked out by this site: the Presiding Officer announced it would fall if another amendment was agreed, and that one was)

Vote

1 division

4 Nov 2026
Face Coverings in Public Places
S7M-01844as amended by SNP
Carried
92 for, 15 against, 8 abstained

Amendments

3

S7M-01844.1

Face Coverings in Public Places
Yi-pei Chou Turvey LD Lodged 3 Nov 2026

No recorded vote
S7M-01844.2

Face Coverings in Public Places
Kirsten Oswald SNP Lodged 3 Nov 2026

Carried
83 for, 24 against
S7M-01844.3

Face Coverings in Public Places
Stephen Kerr Con Lodged 3 Nov 2026

No recorded vote

Supporters

No MSP has added their name to this motion.

In the Official Report

4 contributions mention S7M-01844

4 Nov 2026

Face Coverings in Public Places
Clare Adamson SNP Meeting of the Parliament

The next item of business is a debate on motion S7M-01844, in the name of Helen McDade, on face coverings in public places. Members who wish to speak should press their request-to-speak buttons now. I call Helen McDade to speak to and move…
4 Nov 2026

Decision Time
Kenneth Gibson Meeting of the Parliament

The next question is, that amendment S7M-01844.2, in the name of Kirsten Oswald, which seeks to amend motion S7M-01844, in the name of Helen McDade, on face coverings in public places, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
4 Nov 2026

Decision Time
Kenneth Gibson Meeting of the Parliament

The next question is, that motion S7M-01844, in the name of Helen McDade, on face coverings in public places, as amended, be agreed to. Are we agreed?Members: No.
4 Nov 2026

Decision Time
Kenneth Gibson Meeting of the Parliament

The result of the division on motion S7M-01844, in the name of Helen McDade, on face coverings in public places, as amended, is: For 92, Against 15, Abstentions 8.Motion, as amended, agreed to.That the Parliament acknowledges that it is no…