FIRST MINISTER VINDICATED BY FORMER PRESIDING OFFICERS’ INQUIRY.

FIRST MINISTER VINDICATED BY FORMER PRESIDING OFFICERS’ INQUIRY.

REPORT EMBARRASSES TAVISH - RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS BEHAVIOUR

SNP MSP and Deputy Whip in the Scottish Parliament Bill Kidd has welcomed the findings of the report of the Ministerial Code Inquiry which followed ridiculous claims by LibDem leader Tavish Scott, regarding exchanges at First Minister's Questions. The report completely vindicates the First Minister and exposes Mr Scott as raising in public issues which he had been asked by external organisations to address privately.

Commenting Mr Kidd said:

“This is a total embarrassment for Tavish Scott. The First Minister has been totally vindicated and cleared by a full and intensive inquiry by both former Presiding Officers.

“It is particularly embarrassing for Tavish considering the song and dance he made.

“He should now apologise for his erroneous claims and his own behaviour in this episode. As the report shows he has his own questions to answer on his own actions.

“Alan Dixon quite clearly said to Tavish Scott that the First Minister did not make “an incorrect statement to you or the Parliament” and asked for him to take the matter further in a “private capacity”.

“Tavish Scott clearly ignored that request for the matter to be raised privately as he took it up at First Minister’s Questions the next week. He should be answering why he failed to respect Alan Dixon’s request and drag the Inter Faith Council into this political circus?

"Hopefully Mr Scott will have the good grace to start this week's question time with an apology to the First Minister.

“And those who foolishly followed the same tact of trying to smear the First Minister - Richard Baker, Mike Rumbles and George Foulkes – should also apologise.”