Ministerial Code
Wed., June 18, 2008. 16:13.
New Ministerial Code “full of loopholes”
Today's First Ministerial statement on the Ministerial Code shows that the SNP administration remains as resistant to external and independent scrutiny of their actions as their predecessors were. Greens have been challenging the Ministerial Code since 2003, when Jack McConnell pre-empted a Public Inquiry in the Chamber just days before it opened, clearly bringing the planning system into disrepute. (1)
Patrick Harvie MSP said:
"Today's statement from Alex Salmond shows that Ministerial self-interest continues to trump any moves towards external accountability. The key demand all along has been for independent scrutiny of complaints under the Code, just as MSPs are scrutinised by the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner.
"The complaints against Ministers that the Code covers are not arcane points of policy, nor are they minor disagreements over procedure. When it appears that there have been significant infringements of public administration, substantial conflicts of interest, or serious breaches of process, there must be a fair and independent process to investigate Ministers' actions.
"Other aspects of the new Code worry us - it appear that the planning aspects are even weaker than the previous Code, and could almost have been designed to excuse the series of meetings held over the Trump application. All that remains is a "don't get caught" clause, a perfect symptom of a document full of loopholes.
"The proposal to involve past Presiding Officers as a panel to advise could be a useful idea, but we are deeply disappointed that they would apparently only be able to give private advice to the FM, rather than issuing their own judgements on breaches of the Code.
"We will continue to argue for the highest level of independent scrutiny. The public deserve nothing less from Scottish Ministers, yet the SNP have nothing to offer except 'just trust us'."
Notes
1. See http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20031130/ai_n12586710
Contact the Scottish Greens' press team on 07909 933 074.