AN MSP LAST night accused protesters who climbed on to the roof of the Scottish Parliament of wasting the emergency services’ time, writes Steve Bargeton, political editor.

A man and a woman from Plane Stupid Scotland scaled the front of the Holyrood building in Edinburgh yesterday in protest at airport expansion.

Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Liz Smith called the stunt “foolish” and accused them of tying up valuable resources which should have been on hand to deal with genuine emergencies.

“If people are foolish enough to climb on to the roof of the Parliament to stage a protest then that is their business,” she said.

“But I am sure that the taxpayers of Scotland will be astonished to learn that the actions of these two people have tied up thousands of pounds of vital resources.

“An ambulance with two paramedics, a fire engine and four fire-fighters, and a small posse of police all on hand for hours on end ‘just in case’ an accident happens.

“The rest of us have to have an accident before the emergency services rush to our aid but it seems that those who decide to put themselves in peril—however remote the risk—get preferential treatment and their own special rapid- response team.

“At a time when our ambulance service is so stretched, our police so thin on the ground and our fire service so many better things to do this is a waste of scarce resources.”

The protesters climbed on the roof just before 9am.

Plane Stupid said it is opposed to the Scottish Government’s national planning framework proposals which give ministers the final say on major national developments.

A few weeks ago Plane Stupid activists in London climbed on to the roof of the Palace of Westminster to protest against plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

A Holyrood spokesman said, “The Parliament is in constant communication with Lothian and Borders Police on the matter, as they are responsible for public safety outside the building.

“The handling of all situations is based on risk assessment in conjunction with Lothian and Borders Police and the evolving situation.”

He said there was no effect on public access, Parliamentary business or the building.

A man and a woman have been detained and are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.