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He is the SNP Shadow [[Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport|Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport]], a member of the House of Commons [[Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee|Culture, Media and Sport Committee]], Chair on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy & the Constitution and Deputy Chair of the [[APPG]] on Global LGBT+ Rights.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minutes|url=https://www.appglgbt.org/minutes|access-date=15 March 2021|website=APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Officers|url=https://www.appglgbt.org/officers|access-date=15 March 2021|website=APPG on Global LGBT+ Rights|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/membership/|title=Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee – Membership – Committees – UK Parliament|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|language=en|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/opinion/18279344.political-stand-john-nicolson-can-achieve-work-together/|title=Political Stand with John Nicolson: What you can achieve when you work together|website=Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser|date=4 March 2020 |language=en|access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=SNP |first=the |date=2022-12-10 |title=The real opposition: meet your new SNP Westminster Frontbench |url=https://www.snp.org/snp-westminster-frontbench-team/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=Scottish National Party |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==Early life and education==
John Nicolson was born in [[Glasgow]], the son of John Donald Nicolson and Marion Nicolson. His ancestry is [[Hebrides|Hebridean]] and [[Orkney|Orcadian]] on his father's side. His mother came from Scotstoun in Glasgow. His father died of lung cancer when he was at school. He won a bursary to [[Hutchesons'and Grammaraged School]]15.<ref>{{Cite Nicolsonweb is|date=2021-10-12 the|title=Political firstStand generationwith ofJohn hisNicolson: familyRemember tomy golate tofather university. He graduated from the [[University of Glasgow]] with a [[Master of Arts (Scotland)|MA]] (Honsurl=https://www.) in [[English literature]] and Politicsalloaadvertiser.com/opinion/19641808.political-stand-john-nicolson-remember-late-father/ He|access-date=2024-02-25 was awarded a [[Kennedy Scholarship]] for postgraduate study in the United States,|website=Alloa and wasHillfoots [[HarknessAdvertiser Fellow]] in American Government at the [[John F. Kennedy School of Government|Kennedy School of Government]], [[Harvard]]. He was a member of Adams House at Harvard.language=en}}</ref>
 
Nicolson won a bursary to [[Hutchesons' Grammar School]], and is the first generation of his family to go to university.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About John Nicolson, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire |url=https://johnnicolson.scot/about/ |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=John Nicolson MP |language=en-GB}}</ref> He graduated from the [[University of Glasgow]] with a [[Master of Arts (Scotland)|MA]] (Hons.) in English literature and Politics.<ref name=":1" /> He was awarded a [[Kennedy Scholarship]] for postgraduate study in the United States, and was [[Harkness Fellow]] in American Government at the [[John F. Kennedy School of Government|Kennedy School of Government]], [[Harvard]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=PolicyMogul |url=https://policymogul.com/stakeholders/15783/john-nicolson-mp |access-date=2024-02-25 |website=policymogul.com |language=en}}</ref>
As a student, he won the Scottish, British Isles [[Observer Mace]] (now the [[John Smith Memorial Mace]]), and [[World Universities Debating Championship]] in the same year, winning the World Championship with his debate partner Frank McKirgan at Princeton University, New Jersey. He returned to the [[Glasgow University Union]] in 2012 to debate against other former World Universities' Championship winners on a motion welcoming Scottish independence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/281527-glasgow-university-union-debates-independence/ |title=Glasgow University Union debates independence |publisher=STV News |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=15 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615220412/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/281527-glasgow-university-union-debates-independence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>▼
 
▲As a student, he won the Scottish, British Isles [[Observer Mace]] (now the [[John Smith Memorial Mace]]), and [[World Universities Debating Championship]] in the same year, winning the World Championship with his debate partner Frank McKirgan at [[Princeton University,]].<ref>{{Cite Newnews Jersey.|date=1983-04-22 |title=The World Debating Competition |work=Glasgow University Guardian |pages=5}}</ref> He returned to the [[Glasgow University Union]] in 2012 to debate against other former World Universities' Championship winners on a motion welcoming Scottish independence.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/281527-glasgow-university-union-debates-independence/ |title=Glasgow University Union debates independence |publisher=STV News |date=22 November 2011 |access-date=14 May 2012 |archive-date=15 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615220412/http://news.stv.tv/scotland/281527-glasgow-university-union-debates-independence/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
After Harvard, he worked as a speechwriter on Capitol Hill for Senator [[Daniel Patrick Moynihan]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], New York) specialising in Israel-Palestinian issues, the Irish peace process, and gun control.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Nicolson MP - Who is he?|url=https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/john-nicolson/|access-date=2021-11-25|website=Politics.co.uk|language=en-US}}</ref>▼
 
▲After graduating from Harvard, he worked as a speechwriter on Capitol Hill for Senator [[Daniel Patrick Moynihan]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], New York) specialising in Israel-Palestinian issues, the Irish peace process, and gun control.<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Nicolson MP - Who is he?|url=https://www.politics.co.uk/reference/john-nicolson/|access-date=2021-11-25|website=Politics.co.uk|language=en-US}}</ref>
 
==Broadcasting career==
 
===BBC===
While a student, John Nicolson appeared on [[BBC Scotland]]'s ''Mr Speaker Sir'' – a series pitting undergraduate debaters against prominent politicians and public figures. He went on to replace [[Magnus Magnusson]] as presenter of the show.
 
He returnedmoved back to the UK from [[Washington, D.C.,]] to work full-time for the BBC when offered a job presenting the network 'DEF 2' youth strand discussion programme ''[[Open to Question]]''.<ref name="independent 26 Sep1999">{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-krishnan-gurumurthy--john-nicolson-1122544.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220613/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-krishnan-gurumurthy--john-nicolson-1122544.html |archive-date=13 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=How we met: Krishnan Guru-Murthy & John Nicolson |first=Maria |last=Cantacuzino |work=[[The Independent]] |date=26 September 1999 |access-date=10 May 2015}}</ref>
 
After three series heNicolson moved to London as one of the launch reporters for the BBC's flagship Sunday politics programme ''[[On the Record (BBC TV series)|On the Record]]''. He made the documentary 'A Question of Consent' for the BBC's ''Public Eye''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/gay_rights/12015.shtml|title=Public Eye &#124; A Question of Consent|publisher=BBC|date=29 May 1992|access-date=14 May 2012}}</ref> The documentary examined the discriminatory laws targeting gay men in the UK, and asked why the Conservative Party continued to support them.
 
He went on to work as a reporter for a range of high-profile BBC news and current affairs shows including [[Panorama (British TV programme)|''Panorama'']],<ref name="independent 26 Sep1999" /> ''Assignment'', and ''[[Newsnight]]''.<ref name="independent 26 Sep1999" />
 
He also presented ''[[Watchdog (TV series)|Watchdog]] Healthcheck'' on BBC1, appeared as a panellist on [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]]'s comedy show ''[[The News Quiz]]'', and was a guest reporter on both the BBC's arts magazine ''[[The Late Show (BBC TV series)|The Late Show]]'' and its travel show ''Holiday''. He was a correspondent on numerous live General Election, European Election, and Budget programmes.
 
HeNicolson was the BBC presenter on [[September 11 attacks|11 September 2001]] when the Twin Towers in New York were attacked, anchoring and providing live commentary on [[BBC News 24]] and [[BBC One]] – a broadcast which won the BBC a Foreign Press Association award for best live breaking news coverage. Of the broadcast, Nicolson has said, "My time on air seemed dream like, with hours passing in an instant, and yet individual moments seeming to linger endlessly."<ref>{{cite news|first=John |last=Nicolson |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/sep/09/september-11-john-nicholson-bbc|title=9/11 anniversary: 'Suddenly there was mayhem. One of the towers was on fire'|work=The Guardian|date=9 September 2011|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref>
 
===ITV===
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John Nicolson has written for a wide range of newspapers and magazines including ''[[The Times]]'', ''[[The Herald (Glasgow)|The Herald]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'', ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', ''[[The Sunday Times]]'', ''[[The Sunday Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'', ''[[New Statesman]]'', ''[[Daily Record (Scotland)|The Daily Record]]'', and the ''[[Harvard International Review]]''. He appeared as himself in ''[[The Trial of Tony Blair]]'' for [[Channel 4]].
 
He has worked as a radio presenter for [[BBC Radio Scotland]], [[BBC Radio 4]] where he presented [[The Westminster Hour]], and [[BBC Radio 5 Live|BBC Radio 5]]. He is a regular commentator on UK politics for American audiences on the [[Cumulus Media Networks]] radio programme ''The John Batchelor Show.'' He presented the daily breakfast 'John Nicolson and [[Jane Moore]] Show' on [[LBC 97.3]] and has, since 2017, been the host of ''The Week with John Nicolson'' on [[Talkradio]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=John Nicolson|url=https://talkradio.co.uk/john-nicolson|access-date=22 March 2021|website=talkradio.co.uk|language=en|archive-date=14 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714104233/https://talkradio.co.uk/john-nicolson|url-status=dead}}</ref> His final Talk Radio show was on Sunday 28 March 2021. He has been one of the SNP's most prominent media spokespeople since being elected to Parliament in 2015 with regular appearances on ''[[The Andrew Marr Show]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tgy25|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - the Andrew Marr Show, 20/12/2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bmm49c|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - the Andrew Marr Show, 07/10/2018}}</ref> ''[[Question Time (TV programme)|Question Time]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0837hb4|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - Question Time, 17/11/2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05x80zk|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - Question Time, 28/05/2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071g6kj|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - Question Time, 18/02/2016}}</ref> ''[[Any Questions?]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000sbg3|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC Radio 4 - Any Questions?, Katharine Birbalsingh, Michelle Donelan MP, John Nicolson MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ns27v|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC Radio 4 - Any Questions?, Arron Banks, Lord Falconer, John Nicolson MP, Amber Rudd MP}}</ref> ''[[This Week (2003 TV programme)|This Week]]'' with [[Andrew Neil]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00053m3|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - This Week, 16/05/2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0863y07|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - This Week, 2016 Review}}</ref> ''[[Westminster Hour]]'' on Radio 4,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qxmp|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC Radio 4 - Westminster Hour, 03/01/2021}}</ref> ''[[Channel 4 News]]'' and ''[[The Wright Stuff]]'' on Channel 5.<ref>{{Citation|title="The Wright Stuff" Easter Special (TV Episode 2016) – IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5847880/characters/nm0629852|access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref> During his campaign to be re-elected in 2017, Nicolson told ''[[The Irish Times]]'', "People like that they can see me on the telly, talking about East Dunbartonshire."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/liberal-democrats-looking-to-add-to-single-seat-in-scotland-1.3111026|title=Liberal Democrats looking to add to single seat in Scotland|first=Peter|last=Geoghegan|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>
His final Talk Radio show was on Sunday 28 March 2021.
He has been one of the SNP's most prominent media spokespeople since being elected to Parliament in 2015 with regular appearances on ''[[The Andrew Marr Show]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06tgy25|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - the Andrew Marr Show, 20/12/2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0bmm49c|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - the Andrew Marr Show, 07/10/2018}}</ref> ''[[Question Time (TV programme)|Question Time]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0837hb4|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - Question Time, 17/11/2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05x80zk|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - Question Time, 28/05/2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b071g6kj|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - Question Time, 18/02/2016}}</ref> ''[[Any Questions?]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000sbg3|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC Radio 4 - Any Questions?, Katharine Birbalsingh, Michelle Donelan MP, John Nicolson MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06ns27v|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC Radio 4 - Any Questions?, Arron Banks, Lord Falconer, John Nicolson MP, Amber Rudd MP}}</ref> ''[[This Week (2003 TV programme)|This Week]]'' with [[Andrew Neil]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00053m3|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - This Week, 16/05/2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0863y07|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC One - This Week, 2016 Review}}</ref> ''[[Westminster Hour]]'' on Radio 4,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qxmp|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=BBC|title=BBC Radio 4 - Westminster Hour, 03/01/2021}}</ref> ''[[Channel 4 News]]'' and ''[[The Wright Stuff]]'' on Channel 5.<ref>{{Citation|title="The Wright Stuff" Easter Special (TV Episode 2016) – IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5847880/characters/nm0629852|access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref> During his campaign to be re-elected in 2017, Nicolson told ''[[The Irish Times]]'', "People like that they can see me on the telly, talking about East Dunbartonshire."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/liberal-democrats-looking-to-add-to-single-seat-in-scotland-1.3111026|title=Liberal Democrats looking to add to single seat in Scotland|first=Peter|last=Geoghegan|newspaper=The Irish Times}}</ref>
 
In 2020 Nicolson worked 98 and a half hours for News UK – three hours each Sunday – as a journalist. He declared outside earnings of £19,700, amounting to an hourly wage of £200.<ref name="publications.parliament.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmregmem/201109/nicolson_john.htm|title=House of Commons - The Register of Members' Financial Interests (9 November 2020: Nicolson, John )|website=publications.parliament.uk}}</ref> In 2021 his contract with the outlet was terminated, something he alleged was due to an editorial desire for "uniform views".<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1393994778543538179|user=MrJohnNicolson|title=Thanks Craig. I enjoyed doing my @talkRADIO show. But alas it seems they’ve decided they want uniform views. A mist…|date=16 May 2021}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=December 2021}}
 
==Political career==
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[[File:John Nicolson MP.jpg |thumb|upright|Nicolson in 2015 (as seen above)]]
 
Ahead of the [[2015 United Kingdom general election]], Nicolson took part in SNP candidate selection contests in [[Linlithgow and East Falkirk (UK Parliament constituency)|Linlithgow and East Falkirk]], [[North Ayrshire and Arran (UK Parliament constituency)|North Ayshire and Arran]], [[Midlothian (UK Parliament constituency)|Midlothian]] and [[West Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Dunbartonshire]] and [[East Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Dunbartonshire.]] Upon being selected as the SNP candidate for [[East Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Dunbartonshire]], Nicolson withdrew his candidacies in the other seats. He became an MP after defeating the sitting Liberal Democrat MP, [[Jo Swinson]], in the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]].<ref name="2015 election"/>
 
Nicolson was elected to Parliament as MP for [[East Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)|East Dunbartonshire]] at the [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]] with 40.3% of the vote and a majority of 2,167.<ref name="electoralcalculus2015">{{cite web |title=Election Data 2015 |url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=17 October 2015 |publisher=[[Electoral Calculus]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=East Dunbartonshire Council - UK Parliamentary Election - 7 May 2015 - Results |url=http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/content/council_and_government/councillors_politics_elections/elections_and_voting/uk_parliamentary_elections/uk_parliamentary_election_2015.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923232551/http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/content/council_and_government/councillors_politics_elections/elections_and_voting/uk_parliamentary_elections/uk_parliamentary_election_2015.aspx |archive-date=2015-09-23 |access-date=2015-08-24}}</ref>
Nicolson was appointed Shadow [[Frontbench Team of Angus Robertson|SNP Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport]] shortly after his election. A strong supporter of public service broadcasting, he led the campaign at Westminster to prevent Channel 4 from being privatised.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2016-01-21b.1532.0&s=speaker:25281#g1533.0|title=Channel 4: 21 Jan 2016: House of Commons debates – TheyWorkForYou|website=TheyWorkForYou|language=en|access-date=1 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/westsound-fm/local/news/scottish-mp-fight-save-channel-4-privatisation-3/|title=Scottish MP In Fight To Save Channel 4 From Privatisation|work=Westsound|access-date=1 March 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> He also campaigned for the establishment of a separate BBC Scottish ''Six O'Clock News'' – a proposal which won the unanimous support of members of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on which he sat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/25281/john_nicolson/east_dunbartonshire|title=John Nicolson MP, East Dunbartonshire – TheyWorkForYou|work=theyworkforyou.com|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref> The BBC subsequently announced a separate Scottish channel with a 9 o'clock news hour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39042666|title=New TV channel for BBC in Scotland|work=BBC News|date=22 February 2017|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>▼
 
▲Nicolson was appointed Shadow [[Frontbench Team of Angus Robertson|SNP Spokesperson for Culture, Media and Sport]] shortly after his election. A strong supporter of public service broadcasting, he led the campaign at Westminster to prevent Channel 4 from being privatised.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2016-01-21b.1532.0&s=speaker:25281#g1533.0|title=Channel 4: 21 Jan 2016: House of Commons debates – TheyWorkForYou|website=TheyWorkForYou|language=en|access-date=1 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://planetradio.co.uk/westsound-fm/local/news/scottish-mp-fight-save-channel-4-privatisation-3/|title=Scottish MP In Fight To Save Channel 4 From Privatisation|work=Westsound|access-date=1 March 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> He also campaigned for the establishment of a separate BBC Scottish ''Six O'Clock News'' – a proposal which won the unanimous support of members of the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on which he sat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/25281/john_nicolson/east_dunbartonshire|title=John Nicolson MP, East Dunbartonshire – TheyWorkForYou|work=theyworkforyou.com|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref> The BBC subsequently announced a separate Scottish channel with a 9 o'clock news hour.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-39042666|title=New TV channel for BBC in Scotland|work=BBC News|date=22 February 2017|access-date=28 April 2017}}</ref>
 
Nicolson used his position to cross examine the BBC Chair [[Rona Fairhead]], revealing the unorthodox way in which she had been appointed without due process. She withdrew her candidacy for the new BBC Board shortly afterwards. He also proposed that the BBC publish all presenter pay, arguing that it would reveal some hugely inflated salaries, a shortage of BME presenters at the top of the BBC earnings league, and a significant [[gender pay gap]]. His proposal was accepted by the DCMS Select Committee, and the Government. When BBC presenter salaries were subsequently published there was public controversy as a significant underpayment of women at the corporation was revealed.<ref>{{Cite news|date=29 June 2018|title=Timeline: How the BBC gender pay story has unfolded|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-42833551|access-date=22 March 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=14 September 2020|title=BBC has given rises to 700 female staff since start of pay scandal|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/sep/14/bbc-has-settled-at-least-700-female-employees-equal-pay-claims|access-date=22 March 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=12 March 2019|title=Equality commission to investigate BBC over pay discrimination|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/mar/12/equality-commission-investigate-bbc-gender-pay-gap|access-date=22 March 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>
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In 2016, Nicolson repeatedly criticised on social media STV's Digital Politics and Comment Editor, Stephen Daisley, who had published critical opinion pieces about the SNP.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15029547.journalist-snp-gagging-row-stephen-daisley-quits-stv/|title=Journalist in SNP "gagging" row quits STV|website=HeraldScotland|date=18 January 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Mayhew|first=Freddy|date=20 January 2017|title=STV political editor Stephen Daisley resigns in wake of Scottish MPs' complaints to media company|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/stv-political-editor-stephen-daisley-resigns-after-scottish-politicians-complaints-to-media-company/|access-date=8 April 2021|website=Press Gazette|language=en-US}}</ref> He tweeted: "[Daisley] is meant to be a neutral journalist – not an activist."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14692107.journalist-gagged-broadcaster-pressure-snp/|title=Journalist 'gagged' by broadcaster after pressure from SNP|website=HeraldScotland|date=19 August 2016 }}</ref> Nicolson and another SNP MP, Pete Wishart, complained about him to STV bosses and Daisley alleges he was told, "We can't afford to have a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee complaining about us."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pressgazette.co.uk/snp-slammed-by-former-stv-journalist-i-learned-the-hard-way-that-journalism-and-nationalism-do-not-mix/|title=SNP slammed by former STV journalist: 'I learned the hard way that journalism and nationalism do not mix'|first=Dominic|last=Ponsford|date=6 February 2017|website=Press Gazette}}</ref> Daisley stopped writing opinion pieces for STV and Nicolson and Wishart were accused of "gagging" him.<ref name="auto"/> However, the SNP said: "At no point did they ask for Mr Daisley to stop writing and any suggestion otherwise is completely untrue. Any editorial decisions are entirely a matter for STV."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/snp-called-bullies-stv-journalist-stephen-daisley_uk_57b6f4e4e4b042aee74b4554|title=SNP MPs Described As 'Bullies' Amid Claims STV Journalist 'Gagged' For Outspoken Views|date=19 August 2016|website=HuffPost UK}}</ref> STV denied censoring any of its journalists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/14904403.political-journalist-wasnt-gagged-says-nuj-chief/|title=Political journalist 'wasn't gagged', says NUJ chief|website=The National|date=20 August 2016 }}</ref>
 
Nicolson described the 2017 campaign against him by the Liberal Democrats in East Dunbartonshire as "relentlessly negative".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/constituency-profile-lib-dems-pin-hopes-east-dunbartonshire-1448133|title=Constituency profile: Lib Dems pin hopes on East Dunbartonshire|website=www.scotsman.com|date=5 June 2017 }}</ref> However, 61% of Nicolson's constituents in East Dunbartonshire had voted foragainst the Unionindependence in the [[2014 Scottish independence referendum]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/events/scotland-decides/results|title=Scottish independence referendum - Results - BBC News|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> and, amid strong opposition to a second independence referendum from voters,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40216748|title=General election 2017: Sturgeon says Indyref2 'a factor' in SNP losses|work=BBC News|date=9 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmgresearch.co.uk/scots-2017-independence-vote/|title=Herald/BMG Poll: Majority of Scots against a 2017 Independence vote|date=3 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/nearly-two-thirds-of-scots-dont-want-independence-referendum-in-2017/|title=Nearly two-thirds of Scots don't want independence referendum in 2017|date=2 January 2017}}</ref> Nicolson failed to be re-elected. He came second with 30.3% of the vote behind the seat's former MP, [[Liberal Democrats (UK)|Liberal Democrat]] [[Jo Swinson]].<ref>{{cite retookweb the|date=8 seatNovember with2019 a|title=UK majorityParliamentary ofGeneral 5,339Election over2019 the|url=https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/council/elections-and-voting/uk-parliamentary-general-election-2019 SNP|access-date=15 November 2019 |website=East Dunbartonshire Council |publisher=East Dunbartonshire Council |ref=15 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Dunbartonshire East parliamentary constituency - Election 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/S14000018 |access-date=2019-12-15 |work=[[BBC News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="CBP-8749">{{cite web |date=28 January 2020 |title=Commons Briefing Paper 8749. General Election 2019: results and analysis |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8749/CBP-8749.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211118043715/https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8749/CBP-8749.pdf |archive-date=18 November 2021 |access-date=19 January 2022 |publisher=[[House of Commons Library]] |location=London}}</ref> East Dunbartonshire was one of 21 SNP seats lost on election night as the party's vote dropped nationwide by 13%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-40246330|title=Election 2017: Scotland's result in numbers|work=BBC News|date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
 
===Member of Parliament for Ochil and South Perthshire (2019–present)===
 
At the [[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]], Nicolson stood as the SNP candidate in [[Ochil and South Perthshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Ochil and South Perthshire]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 November 2019|title=Election candidate ridiculed for appearing to forget which constituency he was campaigning for|last=Osborne|first=Samuel|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-election-candidate-constituency-name-wrong-south-perthshire-dunbartonshire-a9220446.html|access-date=10 September 2020|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref> During the 2019 general election campaign, Nicolson was heckled at a hustings in Alloa after telling the audience, "Only the Scottish National Party can beat the Tories here in East Dunbartonshire."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/11/27/snp-candidate-john-nicolson-ridiculed-forgetting-seat-election/|title=SNP candidate John Nicolson ridiculed after forgetting seat at election hustings|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=27 November 2019|last1=Johnson|first1=Simon}}</ref> Afterwards, Nicolson said "I made a slip of the tongue. We're all human."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Simon|date=27 November 2019|title=SNP candidate John Nicolson ridiculed after forgetting seat at election hustings|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/11/27/snp-candidate-john-nicolson-ridiculed-forgetting-seat-election/|access-date=22 March 2021|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=27 November 2019|title=Election candidate ridiculed for appearing to forget which constituency he was campaigning for|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/snp-election-candidate-constituency-name-wrong-south-perthshire-dunbartonshire-a9220446.html|access-date=22 March 2021|website=The Independent|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.totalpolitics.com/articles/diary/watch-oblivious-snp-candidate-john-nicolson-gets-heckled-after-getting-his-own-constituency-wrong|title = WATCH: Oblivious SNP candidate John Nicolson gets heckled after getting his own constituency wrong|date = 27 November 2019}}</ref> HeNicolson gainedwas theelected seatas fromMP [[Lukefor GrahamOchil (politician)|Lukeand Graham]]South Perthshire with 46.5% of the vote and a majority of 4,498.<ref>{{cite newsweb |title=UK Parliamentary election: Ochil and South Perthshire constituency |url=https://www.thecourierclacks.cogov.uk/fpcouncil/newsnoticeofpollgeneralelection2019/local |access-date=16 November 2019 |website=Clackmannanshire Council |publisher=Clackmannanshire Council}}</perthref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Ochil & South Perthshire parliamentary constituency -kinross Election 2019 |url=https:/1041262/ochilwww.bbc.com/news/politics/constituencies/S14000050 |access-anddate=2019-south12-perthshire-snp15 |language=en-winner-john-nicolson-pledges-to-lead-fight-against-ghastly-boris-johnsonGB}}</ref><ref name="CBP-87492">{{cite web |titledate=OCHIL28 ANDJanuary SOUTH2020 PERTHSHIRE:|title=Commons SNPBriefing winnerPaper John8749. NicolsonGeneral pledgesElection to2019: leadresults fightand againstanalysis 'ghastly'|url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8749/CBP-8749.pdf Boris|url-status=live Johnson|lastarchive-url=Gardinerhttps://web.archive.org/web/20211118043715/https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8749/CBP-8749.pdf |firstarchive-date=Ross18 November 2021 |access-date=1319 DecemberJanuary 2022 2019|websitepublisher=[[TheHouse Courierof (Dundee)|TheCommons CourierLibrary]] |access-datelocation=10 September 2020London}}</ref>
 
As a member of the [[DCMS Committee|CMS Committee]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee – Membership – Committees – UK Parliament|url=https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/membership/|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|language=en}}</ref> Nicolson has taken evidence from witnesses and cross-examined ministers as part of inquiries on a number of issues including public service broadcasting,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The future of public service broadcasting – Committees – UK Parliament|url=https://committees.parliament.uk/work/90/the-future-of-public-service-broadcasting/|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|language=en}}</ref> the economics of music streaming,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Economics of music streaming – Committees – UK Parliament|url=https://committees.parliament.uk/work/646/economics-of-music-streaming/|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|language=en}}</ref> concussion in sport<ref>{{Cite web|title=DCMS Committee to consider links between sport and long-term brain injury – Committees – UK Parliament|url=https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/378/digital-culture-media-and-sport-committee/news/146543/dcms-committee-to-consider-links-between-sport-and-longterm-brain-injury/|access-date=22 March 2021|publisher=Parliament of the United Kingdom|language=en}}</ref> and the impact of [[Brexit]] and the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] on culture and the arts. Following an exchange between John Nicolson MP and BBC [[Director-General of the BBC]] [[Tim Davie]] on the DCMS Committee, the BBC revealed it had spent in excess of a million pounds on external lawyers fighting women and BAME staff over equal pay and race discrimination cases.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Flagrant misuse' of money as BBC spends £1m losing equal pay and racism cases|url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/19029875.flagrant-misuse-money-bbc-spends-1m-fighting-equal-pay-racism-cases/|access-date=22 March 2021|website=The National|date=22 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC spends more than £1m fighting pay discrimination claims by women and BAME staff|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19029747.bbc-spends-1m-fight-claims-pay-discrimination-women-bame-staff/|access-date=22 March 2021|website=The Herald|date=22 January 2021 |location=Glasgow|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title='Unbelievable': BBC 'splurged' £1 million of licence-payer cash fighting women and BAME staff|url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/politics/bbc-splurged-more-ps1-million-licence-payer-money-fighting-women-and-bame-staff-court-3109023|access-date=22 March 2021|website=The Scotsman|date=22 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
 
During the first [[Lockdown|coronavirus lockdown]], Nicolson fundraised to donate tablet devices to hospitals serving constituents of [[Ochil and South Perthshire (UK Parliament constituency)|Ochil and South Perthshire]], so that patients in COVID-19 ICU wards could stay in contact with friends and family members.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gardiner|first=Ross|title=Perthshire MP launches campaign to fund tablets for Covid-19 patients to contact loved ones from hospital|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/perth-kinross/1274791/perthshire-mp-launches-campaign-to-fund-tablets-for-covid-19-patients-to-contact-loved-ones-from-hospital/|access-date=22 March 2021|website=The Courier|date=21 April 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Political Stand with John Nicolson: 'It's good to talk – so let's keep the conversation going'|url=https://www.alloaadvertiser.com/opinion/18412877.political-stand-john-nicolson-its-good-talk---keep-conversation-going/|access-date=22 March 2021|website=Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser|date=29 April 2020 |language=en}}</ref> He said, "Having my own mum in hospital recently brought home to me again how important it is for patients to be able to stay in touch with relatives and friends, especially now that hospital visits aren’t possible."<ref>{{Cite web|title=NHS Forth Valley – Local MP Donates Dozens of Tablet Devices to Local Hospitals|url=https://nhsforthvalley.com/local-mp-donates-dozens-of-tablet-devices-to-local-hospitals/|access-date=22 March 2021|language=en-US}}</ref>
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In July 2021, a joint committee was established by the House of Commons and the House of Lords to consider the government's draft [[Online Safety Act 2023|Online Safety Bill]] to which Mr Nicolson was appointed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 July 2021 |title=Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill established |url=https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/534/draft-online-safety-bill-joint-committee/news/156860/joint-committee-on-the-draft-online-safety-bill-established/ |access-date=10 May 2022 |website=UK Parliament - Committees}}</ref>
 
On November 4, 2022, Nicolson became the first SNP Member of Parliament to speak from a Dispatch Box, as part of the [[UK Youth Parliament]]'s House of Commons Sitting.
 
In November 2022 Nicolson was rebuked by the Speaker of the House of Commons, [[Lindsay Hoyle]], for partially leaking the contents of a letter.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/lindsay-hoyle-john-nicolson-nadine-dorries-snp-twitter-b2231439.html Commons Speaker rebukes SNP MP over Twitter post]</ref>
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