Swinney to release legal advice on Salmond case
The Scottish Government’s legal advice on the successful judicial review brought by Alex Salmond is set to be released today.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney had argued the advice should remain confidential but yesterday, facing a no confidence motion backed by all opposition parties, he confirmed the advice would be released to MSPS.
The Scottish Government’s legal advice on the successful judicial review brought by Alex Salmond is set to be released today following the threat of a successful no-confidence vote in John Swinney.
The deputy first minister had been preparing to face a successful no-confidence vote in Holyrood this week after the Scottish Government failed to publish its legal advice relating to the former first minister’s successful judicial review before a deadline set by the scottish Conservatives.
The move comes as the Lord Advocate is set to give evidence in front of the Salmond inquiry today following intense criticism over alleged political intervention in the publication of mrs almond’ s submission on the potential ministerial code breach by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
James Wolffe QC and Crown Agent David Harvie will give evidence from 10am.
Mspsont he harassment are also set to issue the committee’s third section 24 notice to Mr Salmond’s solicitors Levy and Mcrae.
This could see evidence disclosed to Mr Salmond during his criminal trial made available to the committee, key evidence the former first minister said can prove the allegations of conspiracy against him.
Ahead of Ms Sturgeon’s appearance at the inquiry tomorrow, the Scottish Conservatives heaped pressure on the Scottish Government by submitting a motion of no the deputy first minister. The move had been public-ly backed by all opposition partiesand independent ms pan dy Wightman ahead of a potential vote.
The Scottish Government had been defeated twice in two Holyrood votes last year calling for the advice to be released and the vote could have seen Mr Swinney lose his job. However, the Scottish Government said it would now look to release the advice today, meaning the motion is likely to be withdrawn by the Scottish Conservatives.
Mr Swinney went through the ministerial code process for releasing legal advice, with the decision to release it given the stamp of approval by law officers on Monday afternoon.
Responding to Mr Swinney’s decision, Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Despite two votes in the Scottishparliament demanding the legal advice be published, John S win ne y only backed down and U-turned to save his own skin.
"It's a pathetic reveal of what motivates the SNP. It's not about getting to the truth, it's only about self-preservation.”
Scottish labour deputy leader and committee member jackie Baillie said: “This U-turn from John Swinney may well be a cynical move to save his job, but it is very welcome nonetheless .”
Mr Swinney said: “In normal circumstances, government legal advice is not released. Indeed, such is the importance of being able to get frank, private advice, it is almost unheard of for the legal advice to be released.
“But we have to acknowledge that the issues at stake now are not normal. The very integrity of the legal system is being questioned. serious allegations have been made. This material allows people to confirm that these allegations are false.
“Subject to the mandatory legal checks and processes, we will release the key legal advice .”