Alex Salmond may have broken the ministerial code of conduct by not giving rival MSPs advance notice of a major announcement he made in Aberdeen.
It emerged last night that the Scottish Government has “no record” of the first minister informing constituency and regional MSPs about his visit to Hazlehead Park in June 17.
Mr Salmond announced that the Scottish Government would donate £100,000 to the Pound for Piper Memorial Trust to help maintain a memorial garden to the victims of the Piper Alpha disaster.
Labour has harboured suspicions the timing of the event was linked to the Aberdeen Donside by-election on June 20, given the 25th anniversary of the North Sea tragedy was on July 6.
Labour’s Lewis Macdonald asked the government what ministerial engagements the first minister carried out in Aberdeen between June 14-18 and on what date local MSPs were informed.
Culture and External Affairs Minister Fiona Hyslop confirmed the SNP leader attended the event.
“It is routine for the Scottish Government to inform constituency and regional MSPs, in line with section 9.20 of the Ministerial Code, prior to ministerial engagements,” she said.
“In this case no record of a ministerial notification is held by the government which may be down to an administrative error.”
Mr Macdonald said: “A so-called ‘administrative error’ – keeping Alex Salmond’s visit secret from elected members of other parties three days before a by-election – seems remarkably convenient.
“Happily, I will have the chance to cross-examine ministers further on this error next week.
“Did Alex Salmond break the ministerial code and, if so, will he apologise?”
A spokesman for Mr Salmond, MSP for Aberdeenshire East, pointed out the memorial garden was not even in the Aberdeen Donside constituency.
“Instead of making irrelevant and petty political remarks, perhaps Lewis Macdonald will take the opportunity to welcome the government’s efforts to mark the anniversary of one of the world’s worst offshore disasters,” he added.
“He really should grow up.”