On a point of order, Presiding Officer. I raise a point under rule 7.3.1 of standing orders. At First Minister’s question time, Ruth Davidson made various claims about a public servant of long standing who recently left the civil service’s employ.
First, that individual had been in the civil service’s employ for more than 30 years—not the 30 months that Ms Davidson suggested. Secondly, Ms Davidson failed to tell us that the paragraph that she quoted from the Scottish public finance manual makes it clear that ministerial approval is not required for an existing voluntary scheme such as that concerned. Thirdly, although the Scottish ministers approved the severance scheme that formed the basis for her questions, the terms were set by none other than the United Kingdom Government, which she supports.
That information is readily available from the most basic search. I urge Ms Davidson to correct the record formally at the earliest opportunity, to ensure that no accusations of incompetence or hypocrisy are made against her. I ask you, Presiding Officer, to support that.
As Mr Gibson and other members know, what is said in the chamber is not a matter for me, as I have said time and again. That was not a point of order, but what was said is on the record.
Meeting closed at 17:02.Previous
Decision Time