Scottish Greens: ‘Hamilton report was clearer than many expected’

The Hamilton report into whether Nicola Sturgeon breached the ministerial code was clearer than most people expected, Patrick Harvie has said. Scottish Greens co-leader said the focus should now be on changing the Government's harassment policy rather than searching for a "political scalp".

During Tuesday's vote of no confidence in the First Minister, the Greens voted with the SNP against the Conservative motion.

Yesterday, Mr Harvie and coleader Lorna Slater handed out leaflets in Edinburgh as part of the party's election campaign.

Mr Harvie said: "If the Hamilton report had said the First Minister has committed serious breach es of the code of conduct and recommended that her position was untenable, we would have supported that position.

"But the Hamilton report was much clearer than I think most people expected it to be.

"It was absolutely crystal clear there had been no breach of the ministerial code."

He said the Tories' motion was "third-rate political theatre", while the Holyrood comthe mittee examining the handling of harassment complaints had "destroyed their own credibility".

Asked if anyone else in Government should take accountabilityfor the failings identified in the committee's report, he said attention should now shift to improving the harassment policy.

He said: "The focus should be on what needs to change within that policy, what needs to change to make sure investigations are done right and members of staff within the Scottish Government f eel they have the ability to raise complaints.