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No Alex Salmond apology in Supreme Court row No Alex Salmond apology in Supreme Court row
(40 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond has repeatedly refused to apologise for controversial comments he made about senior legal figures in an interview.First Minister Alex Salmond has repeatedly refused to apologise for controversial comments he made about senior legal figures in an interview.
All three opposition party leaders demanded he withdraw comments made about Supreme Court judge Lord Hope and prominent lawyer Tony Kelly.All three opposition party leaders demanded he withdraw comments made about Supreme Court judge Lord Hope and prominent lawyer Tony Kelly.
They were made amid a row over the role of the UK Supreme Court in Scots law.They were made amid a row over the role of the UK Supreme Court in Scots law.
During question time at Holyrood, Mr Salmond said he had the right of fair comment on an important issue.During question time at Holyrood, Mr Salmond said he had the right of fair comment on an important issue.
The Scottish government says the Supreme Court's role in criminal cases north of the border is undermining the independence of the Scots legal system.The Scottish government says the Supreme Court's role in criminal cases north of the border is undermining the independence of the Scots legal system.
The court has the ability to rule on cases where Scots law conflicts with human rights legislation.The court has the ability to rule on cases where Scots law conflicts with human rights legislation.
The ongoing row took a controversial turn after Mr Salmond accused Lord Hope - a Scots judge and deputy president of the UK Supreme Court - of "extreme" decisions.The ongoing row took a controversial turn after Mr Salmond accused Lord Hope - a Scots judge and deputy president of the UK Supreme Court - of "extreme" decisions.
And he claimed Prof Kelly was making "an incredibly comfortable living" from representing the human rights of prisoners.And he claimed Prof Kelly was making "an incredibly comfortable living" from representing the human rights of prisoners.
Mr Salmond made the accusations in an interview with Holyrood Magazine. Mr Salmond made the accusations in an interview with Holyrood magazine which was conducted two weeks ago, during which time he said he was "engaged in a vigorous debate" on the issue.
Labour leader Iain Gray, Tory leader Annabel Goldie and the Lib Dems' Willie Rennie accused the first minister of undermining an important issue with ill-judged and arrogant remarks. Labour leader Iain Gray said it was time for the first minister to "grow up, own up and apologise".
But Mr Salmond refused to say sorry, telling parliament he was speaking out on an issue of public interest. Mr Gray said: "It is no answer to say, if you're the first minister of Scotland: 'This is something I said two weeks ago when I was in a bad mood'.
"The truth is, this has spiralled out of control. It started with the usual constitutional grandstanding, it led to gratuitous attacks on judges, courts, lawyers and even newspapers who dared to question the first minister."
Annabel Goldie, the Tory leader, said it was right to investigate the Supreme Court issue, but added: "The first minister's interview with Holyrood magazine amounted to an extraordinary rant.
"It was characterised by bile, intemperance, provocative personal insults and a sneering disregard for the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law."
The Liberal Democrats' Willie Rennie added: "The first minister's refusal to withdraw is embarrassing for him, for this parliament and for Scotland.
"He is creating a needless division between the government and our independent justice system."
Mr Salmond said the Scottish government had appointed a panel of experts to look into the issue, telling MSPs: "When you are first minister of Scotland, or for that matter an opposition leader, you have to address matters of key public concern.
"I think it's a real issue. The integrity of the criminal law of Scotland is a matter of public concern."
He said there was also "a real public issue" about compensation payments to criminals.
"These are real points of public concern, so as well as a right of free speech, we have a duty as parliamentarians to articulate the public concerns and try and bring proper remedy," he said.