Overview
- Scottish Labour lodged a motion of no confidence on Thursday, and the Conservatives said they will force a vote, with the Liberal Democrats saying they would vote against Angela Constance.
- Emails released under freedom of information show Professor Alexis Jay told Constance her quoted remarks were taken out of context, related to England, and did not address Scotland or a Tory amendment.
- Constance has denied misrepresentation, previously insisting she used an accurate quote and has not corrected the parliamentary record or apologised, according to her critics.
- First Minister John Swinney defended Constance, saying her comments reflected general views at the time and noting meeting minutes were later updated to clarify Jay’s concern.
- The dispute stems from a September debate on the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill, when Constance opposed a grooming gangs inquiry and cited Jay as backing that stance.