John Mason (Scottish politician)
John Fingland Mason (born 15 May 1957) is a Scottish National Party (SNP) politician who has served as the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for Glasgow Shettleston since 2011.
John Mason MSP | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Convener of the Finance Committee | |
| Assumed office 15 June 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Tom McCabe |
| Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Shettleston | |
| Assumed office 5 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Frank McAveety |
| Majority | 8,025 (25.0%) |
| Member of Parliament for Glasgow East | |
| In office 24 July 2008 – 12 April 2010 | |
| Preceded by | David Marshall |
| Succeeded by | Margaret Curran |
| Glasgow City Councillor for: Garrowhill (Ward 48) (1998–2007) Baillieston (Ward 20) (2007–2008) | |
| In office 1998 – 25 July 2008 | |
| Succeeded by | David Turner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 May 1957 Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Political party | Scottish National Party |
| Education | Hutchesons' Grammar School |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Profession | Accountant |
| Website | john-mason.org |
He was previously the Member of Parliament (MP) for Glasgow East from 2008 to 2010, and a Glasgow City Councillor from 1998 to 2008.
Mason has been involved with charity work, and he is an accountant. He is a practising Christian and believes abortion should not be allowed for social reasons. He has attracted significant controversy for beliefs and comments which critics deemed to be transphobic and homophobic. He also faced significant criticism for keeping his SNP office open to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, and for comments describing the Irish Republican Army as "freedom fighters".