Humza Yousaf reported to Nicola Sturgeon over alleged ministerial code breach

The Scottish Conservatives have reported Mr Yousaf after he admitted to revealing details of a statement of measures to deal with Scotland’s ambulance crisis to the Daily Record before making a statement to Holyrood.

The Tories’ chief whip Stephen Kerr has now written to Nicola Sturgeon, pointing to paragraph 3.4 of the ministerial code which states that “when the parliament is meeting, ministers should ensure that important announcements of government policy are made, in the first instance, to the parliament.”

Before Mr Yousaf gave his statement to MSPs yesterday, presiding officer Alison Johnstone labelled the Health Secretary’s actions “extremely disappointing” and warned that “in the future I reserve the right not to allow a minister to deliver a statement but to move straight to questions” from MSPs.

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Mr Yousaf publicly apologised to MSPs ahead of delivering his update on the ambulance crisis.

Addressing the presiding officer, the Health Secretary stressed that “it was never my intention to cause you or the parliament any issues when I spoke to the media ahead of my statement”. He added: “If issues were caused, I offer an apology to you and to the chamber, and I give an assurance that we will take the necessary steps to ensure that it does not happen again.”

Mr Kerr has also reported an alleged breach to the chair of the Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee.

The Conservative MSP has asked MsSturgeon what measures will be taken in response to Mr Yousaf’s action and if she still has confidence in his ability to retain ministerial office.

He said: “Humza Yousaf has shown complete disregard for the ministerial code by announcing the details of this statement to the media first.

“When challenged on his actions in Parliament, he responded arrogantly and took umbrage at being held to account. He has held Parliament in total contempt which is why this must be investigated further by Nicola Sturgeon.

Tory chief whip Stephen Kerr

“Her ministers have a duty to respect and abide by the ministerial code at all times. That clearly hasn’t happened here and she must confirm whether she still has confidence in Humza Yousaf’s ability to hold office.”

He added: “Nicola Sturgeon was at pains to tell parliament that this statement on Scotland’s ambulance crisis would be delivered to the chamber at the earliest opportunity.

“Serious questions must be answered as to why her Health Secretary thought it was appropriate to reveal it to the Daily Record on the same morning first.

“A thorough investigation must guarantee that any SNP-Green minister never disrespects the Scottish Parliament in this way ever again.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.