STURGEON CRITICISM ‘LIKE A TRUMP RALLY’
Russell compares resignation calls to Clinton
CALLS for Nicola Sturgeon to resign are like shouts of “lock her up” at Donald Trump rallies, a senior SNP MSP has said.
Mike Russell, Constitution Secretary, hit out at critics of the First Minister after the Scottish Tories called for her head over her handling of the Holyrood harassment inquiry.
The SNP leader has come under criticism over the Scottish Government’s botched handling of complaints made against former First Minister Alex Salmond – a chain of events that ultimately cost the taxpayer more than £500,000.
Opposition parties have accused Sturgeon of misleading parliament after a leak from the committee reportedly concluded that she gave an “inaccurate” account of meetings with Salmond.
Russell hit back at the Tories saying the leak was “unforgivable” and said the treatment of Sturgeon was similar to what Hilary Clinton faced in 2016 when she ran for the presidency against Trump.
He said: “What you’ve just heard is a version of the Trump cry ‘lock her up’.
“If you remember that used to be shouted at every Trump rally, that’s what you’ve just heard, and the Tories have been doing it for weeks and it’s thoroughly unpleasant, and it’s focused on an individual, and it’s focused on undermining the Scottish Parliament.
“It’s utterly discreditable and the people of Scotland need to have their say about it.”
Adam Tomkins, Tory MSP, said Sturgeon should resign. He said: “The evidence is already not clear it’s overwhelming that Nicola Sturgeon has misled the Scottish Parliament on numerous occasions.
“That is a charge sheet from which she cannot escape. She must resign. The committee is expected to publish its report in the coming days.
As well as the committee’s inquiry, James Hamilton QC is investigating whether Sturgeon breached the ministerial code. His report is also due to be published this week.
It comes as outgoing Presiding
Officer Ken Macintosh said the harassment committee had not damaged the reputation of the Scottish Parliament.
Labour’s James Kelly added: “The SNP government sought to frustrate the committee’s work by failing to release key information requested.”