Salmond: Arrogant, evasive and dismissive

Speaking after First Minister's Questions today, Annabel Goldie MSP, Scottish Conservative Leader, said:

"Alex Salmond's attitude to the legion of critics who have rightly questioned the appropriateness of his conduct to senior judges and lawyers was arrogant, evasive and dismissive. That is unacceptable.

"The First Minister's interview with Holyrood magazine amounted to an extraordinary rant, characterised by bile, intemperance, provocative personal insults and a sneering disregard for the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.

"No-one denies there is a serious issue about how the Supreme Court engages with Scots law in determining human rights issues. It is right that the mechanisms be looked at.

"But the First Minister's blustering, bellicose outburst has totally obscured the real issue, made a laughing stock of Alex Salmond and most seriously of all, has diminished the office of First Minister.

"The First Minister said just over a month ago that he did not have a monopoly on wisdom – that is self-evident. Unfortunately, as he demonstrated so visibly at FMQs he can claim to have a monopoly on bombast, arrogance and conceit.

"The best thing for the First Minister would be to eat humble pie, admit he completely botched the whole issue and apologise to all concerned."

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