Sturgeon statement turns the spotlight on First Minister (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen South & North Kincardine Liberal Democrats <info@aberdeensouthlibdems.org.uk>

Sturgeon statement turns the spotlight on First Minister

February 24, 2010 5:23 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting after Nicola Sturgeon's statement to the Scottish Parliament, in which she apologised for parts of the letter she wrote on behalf of a convicted fraudster, Liberal Democrat MSP for Glasgow, Robert Brown said:

"Nicola Sturgeon has done well to apologise for the things she manifestly got wrong.

"But the Deputy First Minister knows that her explanation of the basis on which constituent complaints should be handled is simply not compatible with the repeated statement by the First Minister that MSPs have "an absolute obligation" to take on such a case.

"Her statement turns the spotlight fully on the First Minister. His blustering defence at First Minister's Questions left his deputy in a very difficult position.

"Nicola Sturgeon wasn't really clear why she wrote the letter in the first place. Her letter did not provide any new information that the court did not already know. MSPs, particularly those who are Ministers, must be very careful about putting themselves in a position where they seek to influence the courts."