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Nicola Sturgeon in 'open' offer to rivals Nicola Sturgeon in 'open' offer to rivals
(35 minutes later)
Scotland's new first minister said she would consider any suggestions from political rivals to help her government to a better job.Scotland's new first minister said she would consider any suggestions from political rivals to help her government to a better job.
Nicola Sturgeon used her first day in the job to eschew "the usual defensive ding dong" in favour of a more open-minded approach.Nicola Sturgeon used her first day in the job to eschew "the usual defensive ding dong" in favour of a more open-minded approach.
The comments came as the SNP administration was accused of failing on justice and cancer treatment.The comments came as the SNP administration was accused of failing on justice and cancer treatment.
The opposition grilling came during question time in the parliament.The opposition grilling came during question time in the parliament.
The first minister told MSPs: "I am open minded to any proposals that come forward from any side of the chamber as to how the government can do things better."The first minister told MSPs: "I am open minded to any proposals that come forward from any side of the chamber as to how the government can do things better."
She added: "This is my first day in office - I could stand up here in response to any of the questions I'm asked and engage in the usual defensive ding dong - I daresay there will be weeks when I do exactly that.She added: "This is my first day in office - I could stand up here in response to any of the questions I'm asked and engage in the usual defensive ding dong - I daresay there will be weeks when I do exactly that.
"But today of all days, I want to make very clear. I'm a new first minister. I'm a proud member of the government for seven years, but I want to come into this job with an open mind.""But today of all days, I want to make very clear. I'm a new first minister. I'm a proud member of the government for seven years, but I want to come into this job with an open mind."
Under opposition questioning, Labour's Jackie Baillie said the government had failed to ensure cancer patients got equal access to drug treatment.Under opposition questioning, Labour's Jackie Baillie said the government had failed to ensure cancer patients got equal access to drug treatment.
She raised the case of Jean MacDonald, a Glasgow woman with leukaemia, who Ms Baillie said had to find £38,000 to pay for drugs which were freely available to patients in Edinburgh.She raised the case of Jean MacDonald, a Glasgow woman with leukaemia, who Ms Baillie said had to find £38,000 to pay for drugs which were freely available to patients in Edinburgh.
"I'm sure the first minister would agree with me that just isn't right," sais Ms Baillie, adding: "Can the first minister tell me when she will end the postcode lottery for cancer patients across Scotland that her health secretary promised to happen by May?""I'm sure the first minister would agree with me that just isn't right," sais Ms Baillie, adding: "Can the first minister tell me when she will end the postcode lottery for cancer patients across Scotland that her health secretary promised to happen by May?"
Ms Sturgeon, who was earlier sworn in as Scotland's first minister in front of judges at Edinburgh's Court of Session, said she wanted an end to postcode lotteries in all healthcare.Ms Sturgeon, who was earlier sworn in as Scotland's first minister in front of judges at Edinburgh's Court of Session, said she wanted an end to postcode lotteries in all healthcare.
Party lines
She said work was under way to improve decision-making at the Scottish Medicine Consortium, which looks at the use of drugs in the NHS, as well as health boards.She said work was under way to improve decision-making at the Scottish Medicine Consortium, which looks at the use of drugs in the NHS, as well as health boards.
Again appealing for consensus, the first minister, added: "On this issue, possibly above all other issues, it's important that we don't divide on party lines - these are matters of life and death for many people."Again appealing for consensus, the first minister, added: "On this issue, possibly above all other issues, it's important that we don't divide on party lines - these are matters of life and death for many people."
How social media reacted Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson attacked current policy which allows the automatic early release of prisoners, which the government plans to end for the most serious offenders with new legislation.
Ding dong Ms Davidson raised the case of Erin O'Neill, who spoke out following her rape by offender Ross Wright, after he was released early from prison for serious assault having serving half his sentence.
Conciliatory politics ANALYSIS
Open to suggestion BY Glenn Campbell, BBC Scotland political correspondent
Where's the shouting? The Tory leader, said: "Ross Wright was freed because of the absurd rule of automatic early release - we've been calling for that law to be scrapped for a number of years.
Silent chamber "The Scottish government has now published plans to address this, but they will only cover a derisory number of cases. Doesn't the first minister see these plans are utterly inadequate?"
Ms Sturgeon, who paid tribute to Ms O'Neill's bravery, responded: "We're about to go into a parliamentary process, where any member, including Ruth Davidson, will be able to put those views forward and propose amendments to the bill."
Sticking with justice, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie said the SNP government had "mishandled" plans to end the requirement to corroborate evidence in criminal trials, as he also hit out at the "routine" arming of police and the carrying out of stop-and-search procedures on children.
Naming the justice secretary - and ahead of an expected government reshuffle this week - Mr Rennie said: "Everyone knows Kenny MacAskill is going - but which of his policy failures are staying?"
Ms Sturgeon said there was "a lot to be proud of" in the justice system, and, repeating her earlier offer, told the Lib Dem leader: "My door is open for sensible discussion around any policy that any member wants to discuss.
"I can't promise I'll agree with them on anything, but where we can find common ground, I am certainly willing to try to find it."
How social media reacted to FMQs