NICOLA Sturgeon yesterday told MSPs she would release the investigation into potential Ministerial Code breaches on the day it was published.
The First Minister also promised parliament that there would be time to debate the findings.
There’s a limited number of days for both that inquiry and the separate Holyrood harassment probe to be completed.
James Hamilton’s investigation – which is looking at whether Sturgeon misled parliament and failed to abide by the strict rules governing the conduct of ministers – must be with ministers before the Scottish Parliament rises on March 25.
It’s understood the former Irish prosecutor will be taking testimony from Alex Salmond today.
Meanwhile, not only does the separate Holyrood harassment committee report need to go to the Government before the dissolution of parliament, but the Government also has a duty to issue a response.
The nine MSPs on the cross-committee are beginning consideration of the report today.
A spokesperson said it was “too early to say when they would hope to publish.”
During yesterday’s First Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Anas Sarwar asked Sturgeon about the sharing of his report.
He said: “Within the coming weeks, James Hamilton QC will present his report on potential breaches of the Ministerial Code to the Government.
“The outcome of this report will be crucial in establishing the facts about what happened.
“The wholly unacceptable disgraceful situation we have had with the legal advice cannot be repeated with the Hamilton report.
“So can the First Minister give the people of Scotland a cast-iron guarantee that the Government will release the report without delay or obstruction on the day it is handed over by James Hamilton QC?”
Sturgeon replied: “Yes.”
Sarwar said later: “I’m pleased the First Minister has provided a cast-iron guarantee that the government will release the report on the Ministerial Code without delay or obstruction on the day that it is handed over – and we will hold the Government to that promise.”
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