LIVE: Ministerial Code Report Into Nicola Sturgeon By James Hamilton Expected To Be Published Soon

Welcome to our LIVE website Feed, this feed will cover all analysis in regards to the James Hamilton Report which is expected to be made public soon by the Scottish Government, the Report will determine if FM Nicola Sturgeon broke the ministerial code.

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Pic - Scottish National Party (SNP)

Update: 17:21 - Nicola Sturgeon says she is "delighted and relieved" at the outcome of the Hamilton Inquiry. First Minister says she has been "at peace with my own conscience" despite the "grim allegations" made against her.

UPDATE: 17:09 - First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon said:

"I welcome the conclusions of James Hamilton's independent investigation, which are comprehensive, evidence-based and unequivocal.

"Mr Hamilton has considered all of the allegations against me, and I am happy that his report's findings clear me of any breach of the ministerial code.

"I sought at every stage in this issue to act with integrity and in the public interest. As I have previously made clear, I did not consider that I had broken the code, but these findings are official, definitive and independent adjudication of that.

"Prior to its publication, opposition politicians stressed the importance of respecting and accepting the outcome of Mr Hamilton's independent inquiry, and I committed wholeheartedly to doing so. Now that he has reported, it is incumbent on them to do likewise.

"Today I want, once again, to remind people that at the heart of this case were women who had the courage to come forward and complain. That they were let down by the Scottish Government's handling of their complaints is not in dispute, and I again apologise to them for that.

"I was determined, however, at the time these complaints emerged that they should not be swept under the carpet and that I would not intervene in the process.

"Had I done so, as requested by Alex Salmond, it would — as Mr Hamilton observes — 'undoubtedly have been seen as a partisan and political interference' which 'would undoubtedly have undermined public confidence in the processes of government to a much greater extent than in fact eventually happened'.

"James Hamilton was appointed by Mr Salmond as an independent adviser on the Scottish Ministerial Code. He has previously investigated a Labour First Minister of Wales, and he has applied himself to this task with rigour and diligence. Mr Hamilton is an internationally renowned legal professional with impeccable credentials and no one should seek to suggest or imply that he has acted anything other than independently and utterly without fear or favour.

"Now that this investigation is complete and its conclusions public, I will continue to devote all of my time and energy to leading Scotland, to helping the country through the pandemic, and to ensuring that as we rebuild from the hardships of the last twelve months, we do everything we can to protect jobs, support our health service and rebuild our communities for the better."

UPDATE: 16:40 - BREAKING: Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon did NOT breach the ministerial code of conduct, the James Hamilton inquiry finds.

UPDATE: 16:33 - We are still waiting for the James Hamilton Report to be made public by the Scottish Government, this was expected at 4PM however we are sorry for the delay

UPDATE: 16:13 - When published you can view the publication via the link, The Report by James Hamilton is due to be published any minute now https://www.gov.scot/publications/

UPDATE: 16:02 - James Hamilton Report Due To Be Published Any Minute Now

UPDATE: 15:50 - James Hamilton Report Still Expected to Be Published at Around 4PM

UPDATE: 15:44 - We will Have full LIVE coverage from the Scottish Parliament tomorrow on our Facebook Page including coverage for the vote of No Confidence motion expected to take place tomorrow, in parliament the FM is expected to give a Covid-19 Daily update while also giving an update on Covid-19 Restrictions across Scotland

UPDATE: 15:34 - The Scottish Government has confirmed it received James Hamilton QC's independent report on whether Nicola Sturgeon broke the Ministerial Code this morning. Report expected to be issued Soon

UPDATE: 15:25 - BBC Have announced that the First Scottish Election Leaders Debate will take place at 7.50pm on Tuesday 30 March on BBC One Scotland

UPDATE: 15:12 - Vote of No Confidence Motion against FM Nicola Sturgeon now expected tomorrow rather than Wednesday

UPDATE: 15:00 - James Hamilton report expected to be published around 4pm today