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Collette Stevenson, an SNP MSP representing East Kilbride since 2021, faced criticism after mistakenly asking if Transport Scotland was a registered charity during a Holyrood committee meeting. Stevenson attributed the blunder to a chest infection affecting her sleep and concentration. She took a week off work on medical advice to recuperate from both the illness and "misogynistic bullying" she experienced online following the incident.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-25,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Collette Stevenson, an SNP member who has represented East Kilbride since 2021 and serves on the transport committee at Holyrood, faced ridicule after asking if Transport Scotland was a registered charity during a televised meeting. The incident occurred when Graeme Cook, director of Transport Scotland, clarified that it is not a charity but a national agency part of the Scottish government. Stevenson later posted on Facebook that her momentary lapse in questioning was due to a severe chest infection affecting her sleep and concentration. She took a week off work, following medical advice, to recuperate from both her illness and an asthma flare-up. Additionally, she accused critics of engaging in "misogynistic bullying," highlighting the challenges women face in politics when making honest mistakes.
Written for “MSP Blames Performance Issues On Illness” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
An MSP who faced ridicule over a blunder at a Holyrood committee has said she suffered a "momentary lapse" brought on by lack of sleep and a chest infection.
asserted
she → publish → sleep
Collette Stevenson, who has represented East Kilbride for the SNP since 2021 and is a member of the transport committee, was criticised after asking if Transport Scotland was a registered charity.
Transport Scotland director Graeme Cook then explained to her that it was a national agency which was part of the Scottish government.
Posting on Facebook, Stevenson said her illness had affected her concentration, and said she had been subjected to "misogynistic bullying" following the incident.
asserted
she → represent → incident
The 57-year-old added that she later took a week off work, on medical advice, to recuperate.
asserted
she → add → advice
She posted: "During a recent committee evidence session, I experienced a momentary lapse in my questioning regarding the status of Transport Scotland.
asserted
I → post → Scotland
"I was in the early stages of a severe chest infection, which affected my sleep and, in turn, my concentration.
asserted
which → affect → turn
"On medical advice, and following a flare up of asthma, I have taken this week off from Parliament to recuperate and allow the various medications to work, so I can focus on making a full recovery."
asserted
I → follow → recovery
Stevenson sits on the equality, human rights and civil justice committee as well as the transport committee, and is a substitute member of the delegated powers and law reform committee.
asserted
Stevenson → sit → committee
She has previously asked questions during committee meetings about the Clyde Metro development - a key recommendation from Transport Scotland's strategic transport review - and worked with the body on the East Kilbride rail enhancement and electrification project.
asserted
She → ask → project
But earlier this month, after about two hours of evidence on Scotland's rail services, Stevenson asked: "I take it Transport Scotland is a registered charity?"
asserted
Scotland → ask → it
"Transport Scotland is a non-departmental government body," Graeme Cook, director of rail delivery for Transport Scotland, responded.
asserted
Cook → respond → Scotland
Stevenson said that since her mistake she had been ridiculed and bullied online.
asserted
she → say → mistake
She said: "Whilst robust scrutiny is a necessary part of public life, the disproportionate abuse, mockery, and misogynistic bullying directed at me online following an honest mistake demonstrates the toxic culture women in politics still have to endure far too often."
asserted
women → say → politics
The MSP added her focus remained on serving her community, and thanked her friends, colleagues and constituents for their kindness and support.
asserted
focus → add → kindness
After the incident, SNP minister Stephen Gethins stood up for Stevenson's character, describing her as "a really good colleague and fantastic local advocate".
asserted
Gethins → stand → colleague
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