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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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| Probe into 'misleading' ministers | Probe into 'misleading' ministers |
| (30 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 MSPs, and has asked Holyrood's standards committee to look into the issue. | Alex Fergusson said he recognised growing concerns among 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. | 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. | 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 he told parliament the issue was resolved before it had been. | He has denied accusations from the Liberal Democrats he told parliament the issue was resolved before it had been. |
| However much he wants to, the first minister cannot just make stuff up in response to parliamentary questions Tavish ScottScottish Liberal Democrat leader Unprecedented times at Holyrood class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/briantaylor/2009/01/be_careful_what_you_wish_for.html">Read brian Taylor's blog | |
| 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. | 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. | 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." |
| The presiding officer also stressed his action did not relate to any specific case and was an issue of procedure, rather than standards. | |
| Mr Salmond declined to apologise over the Inter Faith Council row during question time when challenged by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott. | Mr Salmond declined to apologise over the Inter Faith Council row during question time when challenged by Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott. |
| Mr Scott pointed out the first minister last week told parliament the issue had been resolved - but added that public safety minister Fergus Ewing was still trying to sort it out at a meeting earlier this week. | Mr Scott pointed out the first minister last week told parliament the issue had been resolved - but added that public safety minister Fergus Ewing was still trying to sort it out at a meeting earlier this week. |
| "However much he wants to, the first minister cannot just make stuff up in response to parliamentary questions," said Mr Scott. | "However much he wants to, the first minister cannot just make stuff up in response to parliamentary questions," said Mr Scott. |
| Mr Salmond said an earlier funding assurance was given to the Inter Faith Council, adding: "When a minister gives a commitment, that commitment is met. That's how the processes work. | Mr Salmond said an earlier funding assurance was given to the Inter Faith Council, adding: "When a minister gives a commitment, that commitment is met. That's how the processes work. |
| "On 20 December, when Fergus Ewing gave that commitment, then this issue was settled, I believe, in the best interests of the organisation." | "On 20 December, when Fergus Ewing gave that commitment, then this issue was settled, I believe, in the best interests of the organisation." |
| Meanwhile, more than 40 Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative MSPs have signed a Lib Dem parliamentary motion urging the first minister to apologise and urging the presiding officer to "play a constructive and appropriate role in ensuring this happens". | Meanwhile, more than 40 Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative MSPs have signed a Lib Dem parliamentary motion urging the first minister to apologise and urging the presiding officer to "play a constructive and appropriate role in ensuring this happens". |