Humza Yousaf urged to refer himself for potentially Ministerial Code breach over renewables claim

Scottish Lib Dems leader Alex Cole-Hamilton says Humza Yousaf should refer himself to the independent advisor on the Scottish ministerial code

Humza Yousaf is being urged to refer himself for potentially breaching the ministerial code.

Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has written to Mr Yousaf asking the First Minister to refer himself to the independent advisor on the Scottish ministerial code, over how he corrected an error in the parliamentary record.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said the First Minister wrongly stated on June 22 that Scotland had the majority of the UK’s renewables and natural resources.

However, he said from “heavily redacted documents” he obtained under a Freedom of Information request, it appears this fact “may have subsequently been manufactured after June 22 in order to minimise the impact of your need to correct the parliamentary record”.

In his letter to Mr Yousaf, Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “I am concerned that in the course of correcting the record in relation to the exchange on June 22 that you may have knowingly misled Parliament.

“I therefore urge you to refer yourself to the independent advisor on the Scottish ministerial code in relation to your handling of the correction of the record in parliamentary proceedings.”

Mr Cole-Hamilton finished his letter by saying: “As you know your ministerial code states that it is ‘of paramount importance’ that accurate and truthful information is given to Parliament and explains that ministers who knowingly mislead the parliament will be expected to offer their resignation.”

First Minister Humza Yousaf. Image: Jane Barlow/Press Association.

Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr then brought this issue up at first minister’s questions.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Kerr said: “When I called out the First Minister for misleading parliament, his response should have been to put his hand up and correct the record.

"Instead he chose to double down and, shockingly, misuse the civil service to attempt to disguise his deception.

"Faced with the evidence at FMQs today, he resorted to a quite disgraceful display of deflection and insults, rather than admit he has been rumbled twice.

"This kind of behaviour is unworthy of his office.

"He should now refer himself to the independent advisor on the ministerial code for misleading parliament.”