No-confidence vote looms

NICOLA Sturgeon is almost certain to face a motion of no confidence at the Scottish Parliament after the committee’s verdict.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats last week backed a Tory-led motion of no confidence in John Swinney, criticising him for delaying the release of evidence to the Salmond Inquiry.

Last night, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross called for Sturgeon to quit.

He said: “The Committee will publish its findings in the coming days and we will wait for that report.

“But we have already detailed that Nicola Sturgeon lied to the Scottish Parliament and for that, she must resign. All we’re waiting for is confirmation.”

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: “I am not going to prejudge the outcome of the committee report and we await its findings but if it does conclude that the First Minister has misled Parliament and potentially breached the ministerial code then that is incredibly serious.”

If the Tories push ahead with their no-confidence vote, it will take place on Wednesday or Thursday.

The Salmond Inquiry’s report is thought to have stopped short of stating Sturgeon “knowingly” misled Parliament and is expected to describe it as a “potential breach” of the ministerial code. A verdict on that will be given in an independent report by James Hamilton QC.

Swinney’s job was saved during last week’s vote of no confidence after pro-independence Greens backed the Government.