A SKY News presenter has come under fire after vowing to give Ian Blackford “a kicking” before he came on air for an interview.
The row erupted during a heated exchange about the findings of reports into the Scottish Government’s handling of harassment complaints against Alex Salmond.
An independent investigation from QC James Hamilton cleared Nicola Sturgeon of any breach of the ministerial code in relation to the botched inquiry.
A separate Holyrood committee suggested the SNP leader had misled Parliament, but agreed Hamilton’s report is the most “appropriate place” to address the question of whether or not the ministerial code was broken.
READ MORE: Holyrood harassment complaints inquiry publishes findings on Alex Salmond case
Speaking on Sky News shortly after the committee's report was published, Blackford was repeatedly asked if he accepts the inquiry's conclusion.
“What the committee report does state is that it’s right that it’s James Hamilton, his report, that should have primacy on the issue of breaching the ministerial code,” Blackford said, before being interrupted by host Niall Paterson.
The presenter asked: “I’m sorry Mr Blackford, I’m really sorry. Do you accept the committee’s findings the First Minister of Scotland misled Parliament?”
The SNP Westminster leader replied: “I can see what you’re trying to do, and of course I did hear you speaking to your studio as I was waiting to come on that you were going to give me a kicking so it’s quite clear what’s happening here.”
The host responded: “That’s not what I said.”
Blackford continued: “The First Minister has been cleared of the allegations that have been made by James Hamilton and the report of the committee makes it clear that it’s the job of the Hamilton report to make judgements on whether or not the First Minister has lied to Parliament and breached the ministerial code.”
After the interview aired, Paterson admitted to making the comment.
Blackford tweeted: "I did not hear him say that is not what I said until I saw this back. Let me be quite categorical that he did say he was going to give me a kicking. All of us have a duty to tell the truth.
"When you have been caught out, it is best to admit it."
He added he had "a lot of time for @SkyNews and the presenter, they can do better than this", to which Paterson replied "that's very good of you to say".
I did not hear him say that is not what I said until I saw this back. Let me be quite categorical that he did say he was going to give me a kicking. All of us have a duty to tell the truth. When you have been caught out, it is best to admit it. https://t.co/ApP2bX66m0
— Ian Blackford (@Ianblackford_MP) March 23, 2021
The Sky News host tweeted: "Apologies it’s taken me until coming off air to respond directly."
He explained he had made the comment in the studio as he said the SNP Westminster leader should be treated like Tory MSP Murdo Fraser had earlier in the show.
Paterson added: "Whilst my gallery were rehearsing the top of the hour I was discussing the length of time to give to your interview - commenting that 'well, we gave Murdo [Fraser] a kicking. We need to give Blackford a kicking too'.
"It wasn't intended as commentary either on you, your position on the FM, or Murdo Fraser - but neither was it intended, as we were off air at the time, to be heard outside the gallery.
"It was, and I should apologise - though I hope reviewing both interviews suggests to you at least an equality of approach. I’ve worked long and hard to be seen as impartial."
Blackford responded: "Thank you Niall. We have had and will continue to have a good relationship. I have no issue with fair and robust interviewing. Let us draw a line under this."
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon did not breach ministerial code, James Hamilton finds
The Holyrood inquiry report states that members “find it hard to believe" the First Minister had "no knowledge of any concerns about inappropriate behaviour on the part of Mr Salmond prior to November 2017”.
It adds: “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.”
The report also highlights a "fundamental contradiction" in the evidence the committee heard about a meeting between Sturgeon and her predecessor in her Glasgow home on April 2, 2018.
However, those conclusions are disputed by SNP members of the committee.
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