Justice Secretary Faces Backlash After Breaking Conduct Rules
Scotland’s Justice Secretary Angela Constance has been at the centre of a political controversy after being found to have breached the ministerial code twice — though both incidents were judged to be unintentional. The Standard+1
What Happened
An independent investigation found that Constance broke the ministerial code — the set of rules ministers are expected to follow — on two occasions:
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She misquoted a child abuse expert, Professor Alexis Jay, in a parliamentary debate, saying the expert agreed with her view on a grooming gangs inquiry when that was not the case.
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She failed to have an official present during a telephone apology to the expert, which the rules require. Sky News
The advisers concluded the breaches were “inadvertent” and not deliberate or meant to mislead Parliament. They described them as at the lowest level of seriousness and recommended a formal reprimand and a statement to Parliament from Constance. Sky News
She Remains in Office
Despite pressure, Angela Constance has refused to quit her role as Justice Secretary. Scottish First Minister John Swinney accepted the findings, saying there was no evidence she intended to mislead Parliament and that she had taken steps to correct the record. The Standard
Calls for Resignation
However, some politicians have called for her to step down:
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Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said Constance should quit if she doesn’t make way voluntarily.
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Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar argued she has “lost the confidence of survivors,” meaning she should resign. The Standard
Constance defended herself in Parliament, saying she accepted the findings and would focus on her work rather than stepping away. The Standard
In Simple Terms
The Justice Secretary made two mistakes that broke conduct rules — but they were judged accidental. She was told off in writing and asked to explain herself in Parliament, but she keeps her job despite calls from some politicians for her to quit. Sky News