Scottish justice secretary Angela Constance “unintentionally” breached two provisions of the Ministerial Code, an independent investigation into her conduct has found.
Constance was accused of misleading MSPs by misrepresenting comments made by an expert on grooming gangs during a Holyrood debate in September.
The Scottish Government’s Independent Advisers began an investigation into Constance in December.
They concluded that Constance unintentionally breached two provisions of the code, saying: “…the two breaches were inadvertent without any deliberation or intention to mislead.”
The Advisers also recommended the sanction that the First Minister should impose – which amounts to a formal reprimand in writing and requires Constance to address Parliament.
John Swinney has “accepted the conclusions and recommendations in full”.
Constance is to make a ministerial statement at Holyrood on Tuesday afternoon.
In December, Constance revealed she had phoned Professor Alexis Jay to make a “personal and direct apology” to her.
The justice secretary said she had sought to amend the official record of her comments from the September 16 debate – but had been unable to do so.
Instead, Constance told Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone she would write to her on the issue to add “context” to her remarks.
Swinney has previously said he is “content” she did not break the code.
The Scottish Ministerial Code provides a code of conduct and guidance on procedures for Scottish ministers
There are three independent advisers to the First Minister on the Ministerial Code.
They are:
- Claire Loftus, former Director of Public Prosecution in the Republic of Ireland
- Sir John Manzoni KCB, former Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary and Chief Executive of the Civil Service
- Rt Hon Sir Ernest Ryder, former Lord Justice of Appeal and Senior President of Tribunals
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
