Thank you. That concludes general questions. The next item of business is First Minister's

questions. And at question number one, I call Douglas Ross.

Thank you very much, Presiding Officer. As the month of Ramadan begins, can I take this opportunity

to wish all Muslims in Scotland and across the UK a very peaceful, holy month?

The First Minister's party said this, when asked

by journalists just last month if they had lost 30,000 members. As the SMP clearly stated when

asked, fewer than 300 members have let the party over the period.

The quote continued,

this story is both malicious and wholly inaccurate.

Fortunately, few people are gullible enough to believe it.

It's since emerged that the story is 100% correct.

So why did Nicholas Sturgeon's party, the party of government in this Parliament, lie to the press and the public?

On matters for which the Government is general responsibility, First Minister.

I begin by wishing Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim community.

I think I am in the very privileged position of any constituency in the country, the highest proportion of Muslims living within my Glasgow Southside constituency.

I know the Holy Month of Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, and I wish them all the best during it.

On the issue of SNP members, that issue has been well canvassed over the last few days. I've got nothing

to add to what I have already said, except this, the SNP remains the only mass membership

party in this country. We have by far more members than any other party represented in this chamber.

I think, I can say with some confidence that the SNP has more members than all other parties in this

Chamber combined. However, I can't say that with absolute certainty. So let me say

this finally to Douglas Ross. If he wants a conversation, a debate, an interaction about party

...