A HOLYROOD committee convenor has recommended barring Tory MSP Annie Wells from meetings in the Scottish Parliament for five days after breaking the MSPs' code of conduct.

The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments (SPPA) Committee reached an unanimous decision following a complaint from SNP MSP Gail Ross that Wells had sought political advantage by releasing a comment to the press on an unpublished document.

Wells spoke out on the Equalities and Human Rights Committee’s report on “Prisoner Voting in Scotland” prior to its release, contravening paragraphs 12, 15 and 16 of Section 7 of the Code of Conduct for MSPs.

The Tory MSP, who sits on the committee, objected to recommendations that prisoners should have the right to vote.

The SPPA convenor has recommened that Parliament "excludes Annie Wells MSP from all meetings of the Parliament and all meetings of its committees for five sitting days."

Parliament must first endorse the recommendation before it comes into effect, and themotion will likely be scheduled for as early as possible.

More to follow.