Adequacy of the Scotland Act 1998

In an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, Sir David Davis, the Conservative MP for Goole and Pocklington, raised concerns about the adequacy of the Scotland Act 1998 and the handling of the investigation into allegations against former First Minister Alex Salmond by the Scottish Government. Sir David Davis began by recounting his previous debate on this matter three years ago, where he had recommended empowering the Scottish Parliament to investigate the unlawful actions of the Scottish Government against Mr. Salmond. He expressed regret that the investigative committee appointed by Holyrood was limited in its powers and faced obstruction from the Scottish Government. Sir David argued that the investigatory powers of the Scottish Parliament could have been strengthened, and that decisions about prosecution could have been made independently of Scottish Ministers. The MP outlined his concerns about the fairness and legality of the procedure used by the Scottish Government to investigate the allegations against Mr. Salmond, including the involvement of senior figures such as Nicola Sturgeon's chief of staff, Liz Lloyd. Sir David also raised questions about the role of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and the lack of accountability for the failures in the process. In response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, Kirsty McNeill, acknowledged the right hon. Member's deeply held concerns. She celebrated the establishment of the Scottish Parliament under the Scotland Act 1998 and the ongoing process of devolution, emphasizing the need for improved and ongoing cooperation between the UK and Scottish Governments. The minister highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring that members of devolved legislatures have the same free speech protections as MPs, and noted that the legal proceedings between Mr. Salmond and the Scottish Government are ongoing. She expressed the government's focus on rebuilding trust in politics across the UK and delivering change for the people of Scotland, particularly in areas such as clean energy and support for working people. The debate did not feature any further interventions from other MPs, and the House adjourned after the minister's response.