The Scottish Conservatives have today written to the independent advisers to the ministerial code requesting that they launch an investigation into SNP justice secretary Angela Constance.
Party leader Russell Findlay is urging the trio to probe Ms Constance, who misrepresented the views of expert Professor Alexis Jay in parliament to justify the SNP opposing the establishment of a Scottish grooming gangs inquiry.
John Swinney defended his justice secretary on Thursday and refused to initiate his own inquiry, despite documents showing that Professor Jay twice requested Ms Constance correct the record.
The Scottish Conservatives, who have already lodged a motion of no confidence, believe the justice secretary is guilty of a clear breach of the ministerial code and that her position is untenable.
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said: “The independent advisers must do the right thing and investigate what appear to be a clear breach of the ministerial code by Angela Constance.
“John Swinney, as ever, has closed ranks behind a beleaguered SNP minister and is refusing to launch his own probe.
“The code is clear that if a minister makes an inaccurate statement, they have a duty to correct it as soon as possible. Yet despite two requests to do so, Angela Constance refused to correct the record after misrepresenting Professor Jay’s views.
“If, as he laughably claims, the justice secretary has done nothing wrong, John Swinney should welcome an investigation into her conduct.
“The reality is that Angela Constance has lost the confidence of grooming gang victims because she misled parliament and then refused to admit it. Her position is untenable.”