Scottish Government Releases Thousands of Pages from Nicola Sturgeon Ministerial Code Investigation
The Scottish Government has published thousands of pages of documents relating to an independent investigation that cleared former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon of breaching the ministerial code. This release comes after a court case initiated by Scotland's Information Commissioner, who took legal action against the government for missing publication deadlines.
Legal Pressure Forces Transparency
Labour has hailed the document release as a "win for transparency," though the party's Scottish deputy leader, Dame Jackie Baillie, criticised the Scottish National Party government for having to be "dragged to this point kicking and screaming." The papers were released following a freedom of information request made after James Hamilton KC's 2021 report, which exonerated Ms Sturgeon regarding her involvement in the botched investigation into harassment allegations against former First Minister Alex Salmond.
Content of the Released Documents
More than 4,700 pages of information, some with redactions, have been published on the Scottish Government's website. The documents reveal that Mr Salmond, who passed away in October 2024, complained to Mr Hamilton about the investigation's remit, which was established by then Deputy First Minister John Swinney. In an email, Mr Salmond argued that the remit placed "surprising stress" on whether Ms Sturgeon interfered in the government investigation, suggesting it might have been "set up as a straw man to knock down."
A Scottish Government spokesperson stated that "extensive work has taken place to review these documents and ensure that as much information as possible can be placed in the public domain." The spokesperson also noted that court orders protecting the identities of those who made sexual assault allegations against Mr Salmond, of which he was acquitted, prevent the release of certain information to avoid contempt of court.
Political Criticism of Secrecy
Both the Conservatives and Labour have accused the SNP government of resisting transparency. Dame Jackie Baillie claimed that "John Swinney and the SNP have fought this every step of the way, spending eyewatering amounts of taxpayer money in court trying to bury these documents." She described the situation as indicative of a "rotten culture of secrecy and cover-up" within the SNP government.
Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser echoed these sentiments, stating, "The SNP should not have had to be dragged kicking and screaming into finally agreeing to release these documents." He criticised the "nationalist secrecy" surrounding the episode and expressed concern over the "huge redactions" in the published papers, which he said would make Scots wonder what the SNP is still trying to conceal about Ms Sturgeon's conduct.
The release of these documents marks a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of the Scottish Government's handling of the Salmond case and its commitment to transparency in political processes.
