VETERAN LEFT-WINGER Tony Benn addressed MSPs at Holyrood yesterday in the weekly Time for Reflection slot, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

The address is usually, but not always, given by a religious or faith leader.

Mr Benn’s invitation was at the instigation of Labour MSP Bill Butler.

He was introduced to MSPs by Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson, as “Anthony Wedgwood Benn, probably better known to all of us as Tony Benn.”

Mr Benn, whose son Hilary is a UK cabinet minister, urged MSPs to support “prophets ahead of kings.”

He recalled that his mother used to read the Bible to him and taught him that the stories were about the conflict between the kings who had power, and the prophets who preached righteousness.

“She taught me to support the prophets against the kings,” he said.

“It got me into a lot of trouble in my life, but the older I am the more relevant it seems.

“The people I fear are the kings, who frighten and divide us so they can gain power for themselves.

“If we are to make the right decisions, I believe we would do well to listen to the prophets rather than the kings.”