A Holyrood committee has concluded by a narrow majority that Nicola Sturgeon misled the Scottish parliament over her meetings with Alex Salmond in 2018. The special committee voted five to four that the first minister gave an 'inaccurate' account of her discussions with her predecessor during evidence on oath earlier this month.
The finding stops short of accusing Sturgeon of 'knowingly' misleading parliament, which would be a clear breach of the ministerial code and a resignation matter. However, the conclusion significantly increases pressure on Sturgeon and the Scottish National Party just seven weeks before the May Holyrood elections.
Sturgeon defended her evidence, telling Sky News: 'What has been clear is that opposition members of this committee made their minds up before I uttered a single word of evidence.' She noted that the question of whether she breached the ministerial code is being considered independently by James Hamilton, former director of public prosecutions in Ireland.
The Scottish Conservatives are preparing a no confidence motion against Sturgeon. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said the party believes she misled Holyrood and should resign. The committee's report is expected to be published on Tuesday, the day before Holyrood is dissolved for the election campaign.
The critical vote split along party lines, with the four SNP members opposing the finding and the five opposition MSPs supporting it. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said if the report concludes Sturgeon misled parliament, 'that is incredibly serious,' adding that the ministerial code requires any minister found in breach to resign.
