Stakes couldn’t be higher as Sturgeon faces biggest test

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon faces the biggest test of her political life when she is grilled by a Holyrood Committee this morning.

The First Minister faces questions over her government’s handling of events surrounding the 2018 harassment investigation into Alex Salmond. It was found to be unlawful by a court in a process which cost the taxpayer over £600,000.

Questions have been raised over her recollection of events and Former First Minister Alex Salmond has accused his one time friend and ally of misleading parliament: that’s tantamount to lying and, if proven, Miss Sturgeon would be expected to resign.

The Tories are not waiting for the committee to deliberate, however: they have passed judgement already. The Scottish Conservatives lodged a motion of no confidence in the First Minister last night following the long-awaited release of legal evidence relating to the case.

The documents cover the key advice from external Counsel that informed decisions at critical points in the progress of the judicial review.

Two key witnesses also come forward ast night with an offer to give evidence which supports Mr Salmond’s timetable of events.

Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “There is no longer any doubt that Nicola Sturgeon lied to the Scottish Parliament and broke the ministerial code on numerous counts.

“No first minister can be allowed to mislead the Scottish people and continue in office, especially when they have tried to cover up the truth and abused the power of their office in the process.”

The First Minister has repeatedly said that she ‘can’t wait’ to give her side of the story to the Holyrood committee. Today, she has that opportunity.

There is huge pressure on the First Minister when she faces the committee in an hour’s time – she simply cannot afford to put a foot wrong. Her personal future, that of her party in May’s elections and even the very future of the independence movement itself are all at stake.

On Budget Day it takes something hugely important to replace the Chancellor’s plans as the main political story, but dramatic events at Holyrood have done just that.

This promises to be a memorable day indeed.