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SNP MSP Collette Stevenson blames 'chest infection' for asking if Transport Scotland was a registered charity

From the Newshound archive · first published 25 September 2026 · last updated 26 September 2026.

Collette Stevenson, the SNP MSP for East Kilbride, has broken her silence over her widely mocked blunder at Holyrood's Transport Committee, claiming a severe chest infection and lack of sleep caused a 'momentary lapse' in her questioning. The 57-year-old had asked Transport Scotland director Graeme Cook whether the government agency was a registered charity, prompting him to explain it was part of the Scottish Government itself. Stevenson posted her explanation on Facebook and said she had taken a week off Parliament on medical advice.

Stevenson branded some of the online ridicule directed at her as 'misogynistic bullying'.

Cook's answer left Stevenson visibly uncomfortable — she was told Transport Scotland employs civil servants and is legally the same entity as the Scottish Government.

Online mockery escalated to jokes imagining she believed the Kingston Bridge linked Scotland to Jamaica and the Glasgow Subway was a sandwich shop.

MoreDaily MailNow MSP blames blundering committee performance on 'chest infection'The TimesRidiculed MSP blames chest infection and lack of sleep for blunder - The TimesBBC News - UKRidiculed MSP says chest infection and lack of sleep led to committee blunderThe Scottish SunRed-faced MSP who made embarrassing blunder claims it was caused by chest infection - we had video I think - The Scottish SunHolyrood WebsiteCollette Stevenson: Transport Scotland ‘lapse’ was brought on by illness - Holyrood Website
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