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24 Oct 2012
Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland should address the Scottish Parliament in an attempt to clear up the row over a separate Scotland’s EU prospects, the Scottish Conservatives have said.
The SNP is sticking to its line that no legal advice has been sought on automatic entry, despite Alex Salmond appearing to suggest the opposite in a televised interview.
As a result, the Scottish Conservatives are calling for the Lord Advocate to make a statement to Holyrood – as is permitted in Scottish Parliament standing orders – with the additional option of MSPs being able to ask questions.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP said:
“The SNP’s twisting and turning in the past 24 hours has made it perfectly clear we can’t trust the First Minister to tell the truth, and we can’t trust his deputy to come clean either.
“The only way this can be cleared up is if the Lord Advocate Frank Mulholland makes a statement to the Scottish Parliament, preferably with the opportunity for MSPs to ask questions.
“We can’t compel him to do so, but it’s vital that we at least ask so the people of Scotland can finally get clarity on this vital issue.
“Yes apparently doesn’t mean yes anymore in Alex Salmond’s language, nor in that of his SNP colleagues, who have been dutifully rushing to his defence.
“It is a sorry state of affairs if the man who wants to break Scotland away from the rest of the UK cannot be trusted to be honest and upfront about a straightforward, yet crucial, issue.”
Standing orders state that Scottish law officers “may participate in any of the proceedings of the Parliament as fully as any member”.
