Image source, Getty images/bbc

MSPs passed the legislation merging railway policing north of the border into Police Scotland back in June.

There had been a lengthy debate over the plan, with police bosses warning it could be "massively complicated" and "a real challenge".

The bill passed by 68 votes to 53, with the Greens backing the SNP.

Labour and the Conservatives have opposed the merger and the bill throughout, and the Lib Dems - who had supported the legislationin the stage one votein order to pursue amendments at committee stage - also voted against the bill.

Green MSP John Finnie says he understands BTP officers have pride in their existing arrangements.

Mr Finnie says the concerns about terms and conditions remain.

He says his party will certainly not support the Conservative or government motion.

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The Green MSP says ACC Livingstone has been misrepresented.

He calls on the government to smooth the passage and sort out the terms and conditions.

The former senior policeman says he has a concern about the timetable of this as there is a lot to sort out.

Labour MSP Colin Smyth highlights the concerns about the merger from trade unions and other stakeholders on the business case.

The failure to consult on the three options presented by the Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee indicates an "arrogance" on the part of the government, he says.

He points to concerns from unions about the loss of expertise of BTP officers, which he argues will not be retained if certainty is not provided on staff pay, and terms and conditions.

Moving forward with the integration before details for staff are settled would be irresponsible, Mr Smyth argues.

He describes the Scottish government's focus on integration as "uncompromising and reckless".

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Tory MSP Jamie Greene says: "DCC Livingstone told the Justice Committe that the April 2019 deadline is challenging."

"Why is the minister confident, but the police aren't."

The transport minister says DCC Livingstone was talking abiout ICT functions primarily and also pensions, but he did say he was confident of operational integration by April 2019.

He says: "It is clear to us, and I acknowldege this, that there is some discontent amongst stakeholders and indeed officers."

Last March the chief constable of British Transport Police warned plans for a merger with Police Scotland could lead to a loss of specialist skills.

Paul Crowther told Holyrood's justice committee of a "real challenge" in replacing officers amid a "significant outflow of expertise".

He told MSPs of the bomb threats, fatalities and near-death incidents officers often have to deal with.

Police Scotland has called the merger plan "complex but not insurmountable".

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Holyrood is currently considering a bill which would pave the way to absorbing the functions of the British Transport Police (BTP) into Police Scotland north of the border by April 2019.

The Scottish government has long wanted to integrate the service into Police Scotland, seeing it as the most "efficient and effective" way of delivering policing across the country.

The Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill, externalconfers extra policing powers on the Scottish Police Authority and the Police Service of Scotland, but further legislation would be needed at Holyrood and Westminster to transfer staff, properties and cross-border policing functions.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf argues the will of the parliament is that the integration should happen.

The evidence does not support the concern expressed in the motion about terrorism, he says.

Instead, he argues the motion does a disservice to the work of police on this matter.

BTP in Scotland already relies on Police Scotland for key anti-terrorism work, he notes.

The internal staff survey found only a third of BTP officers will transer, with others opting to retire or move to other divisions, Liam Kerr highlights.

If they leave, Police Scotland will have to fill the backlog, he says.

Can Police Scotland really spare the staff? Mr Kerr asks.

Police Scotland are under pressure and the justice secretary is nearly constantly in the chamber defending himself, Liam Kerr says.

He argues the current climate means the time is not right for integration.

The merger might be a good idea, but it has to be done right, he says.

Image source, BTP officers

A report from Scotland's Police watchdog says no authoritative business case was made for the merger of British Transport Police and Police Scotland.

The decision was made by ministers, meaning the benefits, disadvantages and costs were not explained.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary's overview of BTP says a detailed study of the risks should be undertaken.

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Derek Penman, suggested this study be carried out by the Joint Programme Board (JPB) which has been set up to manage the transfer.

He said the JPB also needs to look at the costs of the merger as there is uncertainty among stakeholders as to where the responsibility for them lies.

Read more.

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Deputy Presiding Officer Christine Graham says she is impressed Liam Kerr is ready to open the next debate on the BTP merger, and he's off.

Mr Kerr says his party's motion calls for a pause to the integration of the BTP into Police Scotland.

He says a smooth transition is essential and highlights personnel issues around the merger.

Mr Kerr cites concerns about the transfer of BTP officers to Police Scotland.

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A full merger of Police Scotland with the British Transport Police will not be possible by the April 2019 deadline, a senior officer has said.

Ch Supt John McBride told British Transport Police (BTP) staff that government officials will be informed at a meeting on 30 January.

He said Police Scotland had put forward an alternative option of "operational integration".

It would see the force taking over railway policing and all BTP staff.

But it would rely on BTP for support in areas such as technology, funding and data access.

Read more.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says the ministerial code is clear that minutes should have been taken, as they are required for any substantive meeting.

If a discussion on the future of the chief constable is not substantive, I don't know what is, he says.

It took nine weeks for the cabinet secretary to tell parliamentarians about the meeting, he notes.

Image source, Police Scotland

On the Labour amendment, he says the Scottish government will support it.

Colleagues quickly make him aware of his mistake, and Mr Kerr corrects himself to say the next Scottish government will support the Labour amendment.

Starting now, openness and transparency must be the watchwords for this government, he concludes.

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Tory MSP Liam Kerr says this has been a contentious and at times highly charged debate.

Mr Kerr says it predicates on whether the parliament believes Mr Matheson acted transparently.

This is not about the decision about whether the chief constable returns to work, it is about legality and transparency, he says.

The Tory MSP says: "We just don't know if the justice secretary made an unlawful interference", as there were no minutes of the meeting between the former SPA chair and Mr Matheson.

Mr Matheson suggests opposition MSPs would have come to the chamber "shouting even louder" about failing to take action if he had not asked questions.

He accuses the Scottish Conservatives of hypocrisy, citing a press release from justice spokesperson Liam Kerr which called for Mr Matheson to intervene in an SPA issue last year.

Susan Deacon has made it very clear that she will operate in a very different way to her predecessors, he concludes.

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Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says he has set out clearly his engagement with the SPA over Phil Gormley's leave and potential return to work.

Mr Matheson say there is absolutely no doubt in his mind there were significant deficiences in the SPA decision making process on green lighting the chief constable's return to work.

He details those concerns:

• no account of Pirc investigation
• no contact with Pirc about impact of chief constable's return
• no engagement with the then head of Police Scotland DCC Livingstone
• no welfare arrangements in place for complainents or the chief constable

Image source, PA

The SNP has interfered with Police Scotland since it was formed, Mr Johnson suggests.

The SPA must operate independently from government as both a matter of principle and law, he argues.

Daniel Johnson says the police cannot be viewed as an organ of ministerial direction or control, adding this is why this issue is so key.

Referring to Mr Matheson's defense that he had made a request of the SPA, the Labour MSP asks what is the difference between a request and a question?