"Ministers had been given until Thursday to produce some correspondence relating to the inquiry, which saw the former first minister cleared of breaching the ministerial code over the investigation of her predecessor Alex Salmond. John Swinney told MSPs that it will "not take much longer" for these papers to be handed over. But David Hamilton has taken the unprecedented step of instructing solicitors to begin legal proceedings which could see the government held in contempt of court."
"The government is appealing against two key cases in the Court of Session, including an order to produce some of the evidence considered by independent advisor James Hamilton during his ministerial code probe. Swinney told MSPs that some of this material could identify complainers in the criminal court case against Salmond - which saw him cleared of sexual assault in 2020 - and this would breach court orders around anonymity for complainers."
Scotland's Information Commissioner David Hamilton has instructed solicitors to begin legal proceedings against the Scottish government after missed freedom of information deadlines. Ministers missed a deadline to produce correspondence related to an ethics inquiry that cleared former first minister Nicola Sturgeon of breaching the ministerial code over the investigation of Alex Salmond. Deputy First Minister John Swinney said the papers "not take much longer". Ministers agreed to release correspondence with the secretariat for independent adviser James Hamilton after necessary redactions. The Commissioner said full, timely compliance is vital and is handling six FOI appeals. The government is appealing Court of Session orders, citing risks that some material could identify complainers in the Salmond criminal trial.
Read at www.bbc.com
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