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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Probe into 'misleading' ministers | Probe into 'misleading' ministers |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Scottish Parliament's presiding officer has ordered an inquiry amid continued claims that ministers have been misleading parliament. | The Scottish Parliament's presiding officer has ordered an inquiry amid continued claims that ministers have been misleading parliament. |
| Alex Fergusson said he recognised growing concerns among opposition MSPs, and has asked Holyrood's standards committee to look into the issue. | Alex Fergusson said he recognised growing concerns among opposition MSPs, and has asked Holyrood's standards committee to look into the issue. |
| But he pointed out that the veracity of statements made in parliament by members was not a matter for him. | |
| His comments came in a statement at the end of first minister's questions. | |
| The move came amid an on-going row over whether First Minister Alex Salmond misled MSPs over the continuation of funding for the Inter Faith Council. | The move came amid an on-going row over whether First Minister Alex Salmond misled MSPs over the continuation of funding for the Inter Faith Council. |
| He has denied accusations from the Liberal Democrats that he told parliament the issue was resolved before it had been. | He has denied accusations from the Liberal Democrats that he told parliament the issue was resolved before it had been. |
| The inquiry, which will examine the way in which the accuracy of comments are policed, will cover comments made by all members, whether ministers or not. | |
| Mr Fergusson told MSPs that the presiding officer "never has been, is not and cannot possibly be responsible" for the veracity of what was said in the chamber. | |
| He went on: "That said, I do note the frequency of such points of order are on the increase, which does indicate to me a growing sense of frustration among members. | He went on: "That said, I do note the frequency of such points of order are on the increase, which does indicate to me a growing sense of frustration among members. |
| "Parliament is ultimately ill-served, I believe strongly, by this type of exchange and I believe also that all members must play their part in ensuring we have the highest standards of probity, scrutiny and accountability." | "Parliament is ultimately ill-served, I believe strongly, by this type of exchange and I believe also that all members must play their part in ensuring we have the highest standards of probity, scrutiny and accountability." |