A Socialist MSP was ordered to leave the chamber for disorderly conduct this week. Ms Leckie was given three warnings before she refused to stand and apologise for hijacking the start of First Minister's Questions.
Carolyn Leckie was trying to discuss the nursery nurses strike at the start of proceedings, but she was told she would have to raise the matter at the end of question time.
An angry Presiding Officer, George Reid, told her she was guilty of disorderly behaviour, and she became the first MSP to be instructed to leave the chamber.
When business got underway, the first minister came under pressure to launch an inquiry into the alleged leaking of confidential details of a rescue package for Scottish Opera.
Questions
John Swinney asked whether the comments by Scottish Opera Chief Executive Christopher Barron were true, and asked the first minister to hold an inquiry into the leaking of the confidential information. Mr Swinney said the first minister was guilty of trying to deceive the public.
The first minister said he was bemused by talk of a leak. He said it would not have taken a mastermind to write the story in the Sunday Herald. He said the article was "well informed by other newspapers". He said he wants a successful national opera company in Scotland that has thousand of young Scots aspiring to play in its orchestra.Rhona Brankin (Labour) said the SNP was guilty of playing politics with Scottish Opera. She asked the first minister for an assurance that any settlement will ensure that Scottish Opera will continue to produce first class opera while living within the budget provided by the Scottish taxpayer.
The first minister said they have moved towards free music tuition in all primary schools, established a national theatre and he said Scottish Opera "must live within its means". Brian Monteith (Conservative) asked whether the first minister broke commercial confidentiality by revealing facts which were not in the public domain.
The first minister said there was a range of information in the public domain that many people were aware of in advance of last Sunday's article. He said that no information that entered the public domain will cause Scottish Opera any difficulty.Bruce Crawford (SNP) again asked the first minister to order an inquiry into the leak.
The first minister said he had no intention of doing so. He said the important issue is what happens to Scottish Opera in the future. David McLetchie asked the first minister whether he would agree with the comments of the president of the National Association of Schoolmasters who say education for the majority is being seriously hampered by the bad behaviour of a minority. Mr McLetchie said the root of the problem is the "weak-kneed approach" to exclusions by the Executive.
The first minister said discipline in schools is significantly better than it was three years ago. He said the actions taken by local authorities are making a difference. Mr McLetchie said that five years ago there were less fewer than 2000 recorded assaults; today there are 7000. He said the Executive was policy void on the subject.
The first minister said he does not accept everything every trade unionist says at their annual conference. He admitted discipline remains to be a problem but that it is being tackled. Johann Lamont (Labour) asked the first minister to act to tackle the increased problem of organised criminals using a range of unregulated private security firms which are operating protection rackets in areas of Scotland.
The first minister said he is seeking a legislative slot at Westminster to ensure that legislation on these issues can be put in place. Robin Harper (Green) asked the first minister to suspend suspend the contract of food supply to Edinburgh royal infirmary so patients receive a better standard of service.
The first minister said the contract is a matter for those who hold the contract. He also said there would be an announcement next week on the matter.Shona Robison (SNP) asked why the executive had not met its 2001 target on waiting times for breast cancer treatment.
The first minister said discussions are taking place with local health managers to tackle any problems leading to inappropriate delays.Jeremy Purvis asked how the new ScotRail franchise will maintain and improve the level of rail services across Scotland.
The first minister said the franchise will build on the existing level of service and will allow new services to be incorporated as and when they are developed. The Presiding Officer, George Reid, made a statement on the incident involving Scottish Socialist Carolyn Leckie. He said said he will not have First Minister's Questions hijacked. He said both majorities and minorities have rights. He said he didn't wish to create martyrs in the Parliament. ''All members should be aware that how the people of Scotland perceive the Parliament and how we relate with them is in our hands and that we should use that responsibility wisely,'' he said. MSPs applauded the Presiding Officer.
You can see First Minister's Questions from Scotland every Saturday on BBC Parliament from 1000 GMT
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