A CROSS-PARTY group of MSPs called yesterday for devolution of the power to set gender quotas for the Scottish Parliament.

In a joint article, Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale and Green MSP Alison Johnstone argued for a 50-50 balance of candidates and “robust sanctions” against parties which did not comply.

“At the moment the power to bring in legal quotas in the Scottish Parliament is currently reserved to Westminster, under the provision on political parties in the Scotland Act 1998,” the article reads.