Investigation Launched into Justice Secretary Angela Constance Over Alleged Ministerial Code Breach
Independent advisers have been appointed to investigate Justice Secretary Angela Constance for a potential breach of the ministerial code. The outcome of the investigation will be decided by First Minister John Swinney, though the advisers have the ability to initiate investigations independently.
The investigation follows accusations that Constance misrepresented Professor Alexis Jay's position regarding public inquiries into child sexual abuse. Jay later clarified that her remarks did not refer to inquiries in Scotland. Government-released emails confirmed that Jay's comment pertained to the England and Wales Public Inquiry on Child Sexual Abuse and was unrelated to the Conservative amendment or the situation in Scotland.
Last month, a clarification note from a meeting was issued but was not entered into the Holyrood parliamentary record. Constance apologised to Professor Jay, explaining that her initial apology was made during a personal phone call without any government officials present, while maintaining that her comments were accurate.
Opposition parties have called for Constance to resign or for Swinney to be sacked over the matter. However, a vote of no confidence was defeated, with the Scottish Greens supporting the SNP. The remarks in question arose as Constance opposed a Conservative amendment to a victims bill seeking an inquiry into grooming gangs. Professor Jay is currently overseeing a separate Scottish review of evidence.
