First Minister John Swinney has defended his Justice Secretary Angela Constance against accusations she breached the ministerial code, despite mounting pressure from opposition leaders. The controversy centers on whether Constance misled Scottish Parliament members about an expert's views on grooming gangs and delayed correcting the record for three months.
Scottish Tory leader Russell Findlay challenged Swinney at First Minister's Questions on Thursday, accusing Constance of acting «blatantly and brazenly». He questioned: «How can John Swinney pretend to himself, and the public, that Angela Constance has not breached the ministerial code?»
The dispute stems from a September debate at Holyrood. Constance allegedly misrepresented comments by Professor Alexis Jay, an expert on grooming gangs, claiming the professor agreed Scotland did not need a grooming gangs inquiry. Professor Jay contacted the Scottish Government on September 26 seeking clarification.
Delayed correction
Findlay highlighted that three months have passed since Professor Jay's intervention. «That was Angela Constance's earliest opportunity to correct the record», he told parliament. He noted Constance faced challenges through «three urgent questions, two ministerial statements, two First Minister's Questions and a motion of no confidence» without correcting her statement.
Constance made a «personal and direct apology» to Professor Jay on Wednesday. She initially sought to amend the official record but decided instead to write to Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone to add «context» to her remarks.
Swinney's defense
Swinney rejected the accusations entirely. «Having looked at the issue and looked at all of the material, I am content there has been no breach of the ministerial code», he stated at First Minister's Questions.
The First Minister characterized Constance's original comment as a «general observation». He argued: «The events of the last few weeks and months demonstrate that Angela Constance has set out to Parliament the position of the Government. Where there is necessity for further information to be provided, she has done exactly that.»
Swinney also attacked the Conservative Party's motives, calling their actions after their amendment was defeated «cynical, calculating and dishonest». He claimed the defeated Conservative amendment «would not have delivered a grooming gangs inquiry» anyway.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
