A portrait of the Queen should be displayed in Holyrood, the Tories said today.

A portrait of the Queen should be displayed in Holyrood, the Tories said today.

The party's deputy leader Murdo Fraser said such a portrait would show MSPs' "respect" for the Queen.

Many politicians were criticised last month for staying away from her visit to mark Holyrood's 10th anniversary.

There are no portraits of the Queen in Parliament and Mr Fraser has written to Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson about it.

"The Queen has always been a strong supporter of Holyrood and I believe it would be a recognition of our appreciation of her support if we were to acquire, or even commission, our own portrait for the building," Mr Fraser said today.

"Given some of the adverse publicity that arose during the Queen's visit earlier this month, now would seem a very appropriate time for the Parliament to commission a royal portrait to show our respect for Her Majesty both as an individual and as head of state.

"I am sure that this proposal will have support across the Parliament and I am confident that the Scottish Parliament Corporate Body will agree to progress this."

The Scottish Parliament mace and the Honours Of Scotland sculpture in Holyrood commemorate the Parliamentary relationship with the Queen.

It is a "strange omission" that no portrait of the Queen hangs in Holyrood, according to Mr Fraser.