JOHN Swinney accused the Scottish Tories of engaging in the “lowest standards” he had ever seen in today’s debate on the motion of no confidence in the First Minister.

The Conservatives’ leader at Holyrood, Ruth Davidson, pushed through with the motion despite Nicola Sturgeon having been found innocent of breaching the ministerial code by James Hamilton’s independent review.

Originally aimed for Wednesday, the day Holyrood dissolves ahead of the May elections, the vote was brought forward reportedly after pressure from the Greens and SNP.

It failed to pass, with only the Scottish Tories supporting the motion.

In his speech, closing the debate for the Scottish Government, Swinney accused the Tories of making the toxic culture around Scottish politics far worse.

He took specific aim at Douglas Ross MP, Adam Tomkins MSP, and Murdo Fraser MSP for posts they had put out on their Twitter accounts. 

READ MORE: MSPs vote against motion of no confidence in Nicola Sturgeon

The Deputy First Minister told the Holyrood chamber: “On March 2, Douglas Ross said this: ‘There is no longer any doubt that Nicola Sturgeon lied to the Scottish Parliament and broke the ministerial code on numerous counts.’ “That was the day before the First Minister gave eight hours of testimony, before she had said a word to the parliamentary committee.

“On the same day, Adam Tomkins, a member of this parliament, tweeted this: ‘Sturgeon lied. We know that now. That’s why she must resign. She lied.’ “Ruth Davidson talks about high standards, I have to say that that tweet was the lowest standard I have ever seen in my parliamentary life.

“My dear friend the First Minister talked about the toxic culture. If there was a toxic culture anywhere, Adam Tomkins emptied a gallon of petrol on that toxic culture by a remark of that type.”

He went on: “Jackie Baillie talked a moment ago about how the committee, how a dispassionate conclusion was arrived at by the votes of two Conservatives, one Labour, one Liberal and one independent member.

“On October 12, 2020, Murdo Fraser tweeted: ‘The FM lied again.’

“How on earth can we be expected to take seriously conclusions arrived at by five votes to four at the last, last gasp of the committee processes when the committee had already agreed to these words: ‘The committee believes the James Hamilton report is the most appropriate place to address the question of whether or not the First Minister has breached the Scottish ministerial code.’

“Yesterday Mr Hamilton gave his verdict: ‘I am of the opinion that the First Minister did not breach the provisions of the ministerial code in respect of any of these matters.’”

“So The First Minister, on the committee’s test was exonerated yesterday by Mr Hamilton and I am delighted that that has been the case.”

Swinney said he had known the First Minister for many years and, while they have not always seen eye to eye, he has “always known I was dealing with an individual of integrity, character, responsibility, devotion to serving the people of this country”.

“She has given every ounce of her energy to protect the people of this country in the last trying 12 months over Covid,” he went on.

“She has done everything she could to protect the public and the last thing she deserves is this grubby motion form the Conservatives and I invite parliament to chuck it out at the first available opportunity.”