London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jul 02, 2025

Scotland’s Sturgeon ‘misled’ parliamentary committee, says hotly awaited report, in another potential breach of ministerial code

Scotland’s Sturgeon ‘misled’ parliamentary committee, says hotly awaited report, in another potential breach of ministerial code

The report claims the First Minister gave ‘an inaccurate account’ of her handling of sexual harassment complaints against her predecessor, Alex Salmond, and accuses her of breaching ministerial protocol.

Published on Tuesday but partially leaked last week, the report gives a damning verdict on Nicola Sturgeon’s participation in the Scottish government’s botched handling of the complaints.

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) charged with investigating the First Minister and her officials’ handing of complaints against former leader Salmond said they found “it hard to believe” that Sturgeon had “no knowledge of any concerns about inappropriate behaviour on the part of Mr Salmond prior to November 2017”.

"If she did have such knowledge, then she should have acted upon it.
If she did have such knowledge, then she has misled the committee."


Furthermore, contrary to Sturgeon’s evidence as to her dealings with the allegations against Salmond, the committee found the First Minister “did, in fact, leave Mr Salmond with the impression that she would, if necessary, intervene.”

The report, which concludes there was a “fundamental contradiction” in Sturgeon’s evidence, and suggests she gave “an inaccurate account of what happened”, comes a day after an independent inquiry cleared the First Minister of breaching the ministerial code. Monday’s acquittal also concerned her involvement in the Alex Salmond debacle. She was cleared of wrongdoing, but stands accused of providing an “incomplete narrative of events”.

The First Minister welcomed the results of Monday’s inquiry, claiming it was “comprehensive, evidence-based and unequivocal”, but acknowledged it was up to Parliament to decide whether she misled MSPs.

The long-running Salmond saga has damaged the popularity of the Scottish National Party (SNP), with other parties making gains in the run-up to the Holyrood election on May 6. Sturgeon’s husband and SNP CEO Peter Murrell was also accused of “meddling” with the police investigation into the complaints against Salmond, but the allegations were dismissed by MSPs.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
×