TORY MSP Murdo Fraser has called for an investigation into why "key details" included in Nicola Sturgeon's Covid update appeared on the BBC prior to the statement being made to MSPs in Holyrood.
Details about vaccine certification being used for entry into nightclubs along with both indoor and outdoor live events were posted on Twitter by BBC political editor Glenn Campbell.
LIVE: Nicola Sturgeon update: FM sets out plans for vaccine certificates
The details were posted about 15 minutes before the First Minister began to deliver her statement on the Covid update to parliament and was noticed by the Tory MSP who made a standing order before Sturgeon began speaking.
Vaccine certification to be used in Scotland for entry to:
— Glenn Campbell (@GlennBBC) September 1, 2021
▪️nightclubs
▪️indoor live events with 500+ people unseated
▪️outdoor live events with 4000+ people unseated
▪️any event with 10,000+ people
Subject to debate and vote at Holyrood next week
READ MORE: Scotland's Covid cases continue to surge ahead of Nicola Sturgeon's update
Fraser said: "You will be aware that important government announcements should be made first to this chamber before they are given to the press. At 14:40 this afternoon key details of the statement about to be made by the First Minister and in particular, proposals to introduce vaccine certification were posted to social media by the BBC in advance of the First Minister's statement to parliament.
"I'm sure you would agree this is a discourtesy to parliament. Will you investigate whether this has been a breach of standing orders by the Scottish Government?"
The presiding officer thanked Fraser for the point of order and said she had not "had an opportunity to view the information" to which the Mid-Scotland & Fife MSP was referring.
Johnstone added: "It is certainly my expectation that any and all statements are made in the first instance to this parliament wherever that is possible and that would indeed seem to be the case on this occasion and I will look further into this issue."
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