An independent inquiry will be held into the row surrounding Alex Salmond over legal advice on EU membership, the First Minister today confirmed.
• Probe over ministerial code after Salmond branded “bare-faced liar”
• First Minister says five previous investigations have seen him cleared
It will be led by Sir David Bell, the vice-chancellor of Reading University, who will head the current group of advisors on the ministerial code, Mr Salmond told MSPs during First Ministers Questions today.
“The findings of the independent advisors will be made public,” he said.
“I will accept them and I hope that all members will do the same.”
Mr Salmond was branded “a bare-faced liar” this week when his deputy Nicola Sturgeon appeared to contradict his claim that ministers have consulted law officers on Scotland’s uncertain future in Europe.
Labour MEP Catherine Stihler, who had initially called for the Scottish Government to reveal their legal advice on Europe, had requested the official probe by the independent panel of advisors on the ministerial code.
Two members of the panel, Dame Elish Angiolini and Lord Peter Fraser are former Lord Advocates who would normally be involved in the process of seeking legal advice, and because of this Mr Salmond said Sir David had been called into to join the panel and head up the inquiry.
“He will lead the investigation into this matter,” Mr Salmond said.
The First Minister added that there have been five previous investigations by the panel advisors after complaints by opposition MSPs – all of which saw the SNP leader cleared.
But Labour leader Johann Lamont leader branded the First Minister “as straight as a corkscrew” over the affair and hit out at the Scottish Government for spending thousands of pounds in taxpayers money in a court battle to conceal the existence legal advice which “doesn’t exist.”
Ms Lamont added the arguments for independence “does not meet the times.”
She added: “I feel the First Minister – the argument for independence is falling apart in front of his eyes.
“His deceptions are being found out – no-one believes him any more. How can this country have an honest debate about our future, when you can’t trust a word Alex Salmond says? “
But Mr Salmond insisted it was important for Scotland to take its place as an independent member of the European Union.
“I think Johann Lamont should look at the huge number of authorities who have said that over the years which are cited many times,” he said.
“It is of fundamental importance that we elect the Government we want and not have one foisted upon us by Westminster.
“It is fundamentally important that this chamber and the Scottish people see Scotland as an independent member, equal with other nations in the European Union – self government for Scotland and proper representation by a Government that reflects the interests of the Scottish people.
“That is entirely the argument which will carry in Scotland in two years time.”
Tory leader Ruth Davidson called for Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland to be called before Parliament to explain what Government law officers were asked and when.
“Will the First Minister take the appropriate action to ensure that Frank Mulholland appears before Parliament at the earliest opportunity?” she said.
But Mr Salmond insisted that law officers in Scotland are “entirely independent” of ministerial control.