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First Minister John Swinney backs Justice Secretary Angela Constance amid threat of no confidence vote in grooming gangs row
John Swinney supports Angela Constance despite opposition parties lodging no-confidence motions over alleged misrepresentation of child abuse expert Alexis Jay.
- On Thursday, First Minister John Swinney publicly stood by Justice Secretary Angela Constance amid a no-confidence motion lodged by Scottish Conservatives and Scottish Labour in Holyrood.
- Justice Secretary Angela Constance had earlier told MSPs Prof Alexis Jay agreed no separate inquiry was necessary, but emails published on Wednesday showed Prof Jay asked for clarification as her remarks did not relate to Scotland.
- Opposition figures accused Angela Constance, Justice Secretary, of 'brazenly misrepresenting' Professor Alexis Jay and failing to apologise, while Russell Findlay, Scottish Tory leader, asked, "Why isn't it obvious to John Swinney that she has broken the ministerial code?" on Thursday.
- Mr Swinney emphasised protecting the statutory independent inquiry while assessing evidence, saying the Scottish government review of evidence will determine if a separate inquiry is needed, while the Scottish Liberal Democrats pledged to vote against Ms Constance.
- Assessing the evidence base will determine whether a distinct probe is required, as the Scottish government assessment finds current evidence insufficient and notes the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry and independent inquiry established by statute could examine related issues.
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left, 43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 43%
C 43%
14%
Factuality
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