Constance to make statement after probe into possible code breach concludes

Scotland’s Justice Secretary is to make a statement to Holyrood after the First Minister was handed a report into whether or not she breached the ministerial code.

Independent advisers mounted an investigation into Angela Constance, looking at allegations she had misled the Scottish Parliament by misrepresenting comments made by a grooming gangs expert.

The advisers announced their investigation two days before Christmas – with this coming after John Swinney had insisted he was “content” Ms Constance had not committed any breach.

Ms Constance is now expected to make a statement to MSPs at 3.40pm on Tuesday.

It comes after the Justice Secretary survived a vote of no confidence at Holyrood in December.

That came as opposition parties sought to heap pressure on her following comments she had made in a Holyrood debate in September 2025 when Tories were pressing for an inquiry into grooming gangs to be launched in Scotland.

Ms Constance told MSPs then that independent expert Professor Alexis Jay agreed with her that such a probe was not needed.

However, Prof Jay said later that her comments had had “nothing to do”  with the situation in Scotland.

Ms Constance went on to phone Prof Jay to make a “personal and direct apology” to her.