A Scottish Parliament member who drew public criticism after asking whether Transport Scotland was a registered charity has attributed the error to illness and sleep deprivation. Collette Stevenson, who has represented East Kilbride for the SNP since 2021, said she was in the early stages of a severe chest infection when she made the mistake during a transport committee evidence session. She subsequently took a week off work on medical advice to recover.
The incident occurred during a Scottish Parliament transport committee evidence session on Scotland's rail services, after approximately two hours of questioning. Stevenson posed the question about Transport Scotland's charitable status to Graeme Cook, director of rail delivery for the organisation. Cook clarified that Transport Scotland operates as a non-departmental government body and an agency whose staff are part of the civil service, making it the same legal entity as the Scottish government.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the 57-year-old MSP explained the circumstances surrounding her momentary lapse in concentration. She wrote:
During a recent committee evidence session, I experienced a momentary lapse in my questioning regarding the status of Transport Scotland. I was in the early stages of a severe chest infection, which affected my sleep and, in turn, my concentration. 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.
What response did Stevenson receive?
Following the public nature of her error, Stevenson reported experiencing significant online abuse and ridicule. She characterised the treatment she faced as disproportionate to the mistake itself and highlighted the gendered nature of the criticism. In her statement, 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.
Energy Minister Stephen Gethins publicly defended his SNP colleague following the incident. According to a national broadcaster's report, Gethins described Stevenson as
a really good colleague and fantastic local advocateand called for greater compassion, saying that
people should show some humanitytowards her given her health difficulties at the time.
What is Stevenson's parliamentary role?
Stevenson holds multiple committee positions within the Scottish Parliament. She serves as a member of the Transport Committee, to which she was appointed on 11 June 2026 according to the Scottish Parliament's official records. She also sits on the Equality, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee and holds a substitute position on the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee.
Throughout her time on the Transport Committee, Stevenson has engaged substantively with transport policy matters. She has previously posed questions during committee meetings regarding the Clyde Metro development, a key recommendation emerging from Transport Scotland's strategic transport review. Additionally, she has collaborated with Transport Scotland on the East Kilbride rail enhancement and electrification project, demonstrating her active involvement in transport infrastructure issues affecting her constituency.
What happens next for the committee?
The Transport Committee's subsequent meeting took place on 23 September 2026, according to the Scottish Parliament's published schedule, with regional transport partnerships forming the focus of that evidence session. Stevenson indicated that her focus remains on serving her East Kilbride constituents and expressed gratitude for the support she received from friends, colleagues and constituents during the period following the incident.
Key Facts
- Collette Stevenson asked if Transport Scotland was a registered charity during a transport committee evidence session on Scotland's rail services after approximately two hours of questioning
- The MSP attributed her error to a severe chest infection and associated sleep deprivation, which she said affected her concentration
- She subsequently took a week off work on medical advice to recover from the chest infection and an asthma flare-up
- Stevenson reported experiencing disproportionate online abuse and misogynistic bullying following the incident
- Energy Minister Stephen Gethins publicly defended Stevenson's character and called for greater compassion towards her
