Row brews over committee invite

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A row is brewing between the Scottish Parliament and the SNP government over the "refusal" of a senior civil servant to appear in front of MSPs.

The head of the government agency Transport Scotland had been due to give evidence to Holyrood's Transport Committee, but allegedly pulled out.

The government said it was under the impression that the committee had to obtain ministerial approval.

Its convener pointed out that it had powers to require witnesses to attend.

Transport Scotland's chief executive, Malcolm Reed, was due to give evidence to the committee, which is considering a government bill to abolish tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges.

'Serious rift'

But Committee convenor Patrick Harvie expressed concern when this did not happen, adding: "To refuse an invitation to appear, at very short notice, is highly unusual, and prompted great surprise from the committee.

"It is important to remember that the parliament's committees have the authority to require witnesses to attend.

"But we're talking here about Scotland's transport agency - there is no reason why we should have to go as far as that."

Mr Harvie said Finance Secretary John Swinney would face "some very direct questions" when he appeared before the committee next week.

Responding to the concern, a Scottish Government Spokeswoman said the transport directorate, whose officials had already appeared before the committee, was responsible for policy on the Forth and Tay Bridges, not Transport Scotland.

She said: "Transport Scotland returned the invitation to the committee under the impression that it was the responsibility of the committee to ask ministers for permission for officials to appear.

"Malcolm Reed would be delighted to appear in front of the committee on the issue of the Forth replacement crossing."