Nicola Sturgeon went on the attack, accusing the Tories of “political desperation” the day after she sat before a Holyrood Committee in an eight-hour session.
After answering questions form SNP, Labour and Tory MSPs at the committee into the Scottish Governments handling of harassment complaints against the former First Minister Alex Salmond she levelled accusations at her inquisitors.
At First Minister’s Questions Ruth Davidson, Tory group Leader said Sturgeon still had questions to answer and said there was “no argument” the First Minister had broken the Ministerial Code.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon says claims of plot against Alex Salmond are 'absurd'
Davidson said Sturgeon had ignored legal advice not to proceed with defending the Judicial Review brought against the Scottish Government by Alex Salmond and said “crucial evidence” was withheld from the Government’s own legal team.
The Tory leader said she had not forgotten two women at the heart of the inquiry were “failed” by the Government.
Davidson said: “There is no argument that Nicola Sturgeon broke the ministerial code; the argument is only about how badly she broke it.
“We believe that the sanction is for her to go—why doesn’t she?
Ms Sturgeon responded by questioning the motives of the Tories.
She said she spent eight hours answering questions and now wanted to get on with dealing with the Covid pandemic and accused Ruth Davidson of “playing political games”.
She said: “I agree that she has not forgotten the women at the heart of this, because I do not think that Ruth Davidson ever remembered the women at the heart of this.”
She added: “Tory members seemed to be suggesting that I should have intervened in the process to effectively sweep the allegations against Mr Salmond under the carpet.
“Then the other Conservative member asked me to apologise for the inappropriate behaviour of a man.
“There we have the Tories demonstrating, without any help from me, that they are playing political games.”
On the legal advice and ultimately conceding the case brought by Alex Salmond, Sturgeon said: “The case ultimately collapsed because information came to light. I set that out in the committee yesterday, and people can judge by looking at the advice that was published themselves.
“Of course, the committee will come to its conclusions, as will the independent inquiry on the ministerial code. I await the findings of both.”
On the claim she has breached the Ministerial code, Sturgeon said: “Of course, the committee will come to its conclusions, as will the independent inquiry on the ministerial code. I await the findings of both.”
She ended with a dig at Ruth Davidson on accountability.
Sturgeon said: “In a few weeks, I will also subject myself to the ultimate scrutiny: the scrutiny and the verdict of the people of Scotland, which is the verdict that matters most.
“As I do so, Ruth Davidson will be slinking off to the House of Lords.”
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