SNP MSP Paul Wheelhouse has been challenged by Rachael Hamilton MSP over his decision to keep Scottish Government legal advice on the Alex Salmond case secret.
The SNP Government suffered another defeat over its refusal to release the legal advice it received for Alex Salmond’s court challenge over the handling of sexual misconduct claims.
For a second time yesterday, a majority of MSPs backed a second Scottish Conservative motion calling on the SNP to release all the legal advice it received for the judicial review of its investigation into Alex Salmond’s alleged behaviour.
MSPs supported the motion by a vote of 65 to 55, with 4 abstentions. Mr Wheelhouse voted for a second time to keep the legal advice out of the public domain.
During the debate, John Swinney refused to say if he would release the legal advice or if he had even asked legal officers for it to be released.
Mrs Hamilton is calling on Mr Wheelhouse to spell out his reasoning for voting against releasing the legal advice given the importance of transparency.
Rachael Hamilton MSP said:
“Paul Wheelhouse has voted twice now to keep the Salmond legal advice secret; this is unacceptable.
“People of the Borders have a right to see these key legal documents which will shed a light on how complainers were failed and why more than £500,000 of taxpayers’ money was lost.
“He must now explain clearly why he believes that the legal advice should not be published.
“It is unsurprising behaviour from Mr Wheelhouse, given the lack of transparency and honesty associated with his SNP Government.
“Once again MSPs have united behind a Scottish Conservative motion to condemn the government’s inability to respect the will of the Scottish Parliament.
“Day by day, vote after vote, it is becoming clearer that the SNP have something damning to hide.
“The Scottish Conservatives will continue to demand the release of these vital documents.”