Quelle Surprise - Scotland's Ministerial Code
Jenny Gilruth did not break ministerial code - Humza Yousaf https://t.co/0s6w4N22we
— BBC Scotland News (@BBCScotlandNews) June 15, 2023
Well - knock me down with a feather!
Humza Yousaf has concluded that Jenny Gilruth, one of Nicola Sturgeon's greatest admirers, did not break the ministerial code.
The First Minister arrived at this conclusion after taking no independent advice and consulting only himself.
Ministerial Code - Holyrood vs Westminster (June 22, 2023)
Unlike the position at Westminster where the Prime Minister can and does refer cases to an independent ethics adviser.
Ministerial Code - Holyrood vs Westminster (May 29, 2023)
So Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has decided not to launch a formal investigation into his Home Secretary's conduct after consulting with his independent ethics adviser.
Meanwhile in Scotland Humza Yousaf doesn't have an independent ethics adviser - because the First Minister is judge and jury when it comes to the behaviour of his fellow ministers.
I've had a response from Humza Yousaf to my complaint about Patrick Harvie which I'll share in the next day or so.
Ministerial Codes - Holyrood vs Westminster (May 22, 2023)
Which suggests the system of accountability has teeth.
Meanwhile in Scotland the First Minister remains 'judge and jury' in complaints about the ministerial code.
Which means the odds at Holyrood are stacked in favour political convenience rather than good government.
So don't expect Humza Yousaf to be demanding that Lorna Slater resigns anytime soon - even though she deserves the sack.
Scotland's Ministerial Code - Unfit For Purpose (May 19, 2023)
Seems extraordinary that Scotland's First Minister can agree on the need for an investigation under the Ministerial Code while in his next breath announce that his SNP colleague, Jenny Gilruth, has no case to answer!
The Herald's Tom Gordon rightly pours scorn on this nonsense.
The problem is that Scotland's FM acts as judge and jury when it comes to the ministerial code - whereas in Westminster the Prime Minister does refer complaints to an independent adjudicator.
Nadhim Zahawi Sacked - Nicola Sturgeon Is A Hypocrite (January 29, 2023)
Nicola Sturgeon loves to criticise other people's behaviour, but she is a terrible hypocrite when it comes to the lack of independent scrutiny over Scotland's ministerial code.
If Patrick Harvie were a member of the UK Government, there is no doubt he would be out on his ear.
Nicola Sturgeon, Sheer Humbug and Scotland's Ministerial Code (January 28, 2023)
All of which means it is sheer humbug for Nicola Sturgeon to argue that this is a matter for Scotland's Commissioner for Ethical Standards - rather than herself as First Minister.
"1.1. Scottish Ministers are expected to maintain high standards of behaviour and to behave in a way that upholds the highest standards of propriety.
"Ministerial Conduct
"1.2. Ministers should be professional in all their dealings and treat all those with whom they come into contact with consideration and respect. Working relationships, including with civil servants, Ministerial and Parliamentary colleagues and Parliamentary staff should be proper and appropriate. Harassing, bullying or other inappropriate or discriminating behaviour, wherever it takes place, is not consistent with the Ministerial Code and will not be tolerated.
"1.3. The Ministerial Code should be read against the background of the overarching duty on Ministers to comply with the law, including international law and treaty obligations, and to uphold the administration of justice and to protect the integrity of public life. They are expected to observe the Seven Principles of Public Life (set out in the Annex to this Code) and the following principles of Ministerial conduct:"