Government U-turn on Salmond advice
Swinney to give MSPs ‘access’ to document
THE Scottish Government has done a U-turn in the row over their legal advice in the Alex Salmond affair.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, who has so far declined to hand over any material, has now told the Holyrood Inquiry he wants MSPs to “access” the information.
A parliament source predicted the Government would only allow the advice to be viewed in private.
A Holyrood committee is probing how the Government mishandled the investigation of sexual misconduct claims against Salmond.
The ex-first minister pursued a judicial review and it was agreed the internal probe had been unlawful. The fiasco cost the taxpayer £500,000 and destroyed the friendship between Nicola Sturgeon and Salmond.
However, the committee has been unable to access the Government legal advice on the judicial review.
MSPs want to know when the Government was advised it would likely lose the court battle but Swinney has resisted disclosure on the grounds of legal privilege.
Parliament has twice voted for the material to be released and MSPs have been waiting for a Government response. Swinney has now written to the Holyrood Inquiry, saying: “I am keen to consider with you how we might establish a practical way that enables the committee to have access to the information.”
Swinney added: “I’d like to propose an initial discussion between officials tomorrow at which the Government will propose mechanisms to establish an appropriate way forward.”
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie said: “The Scottish Parliament has commanded the SNP Government to hand over the legal advice and it’s dawned on John Swinney that they can’t ignore the wishes of Parliament.”