Nicola Sturgeon has today dodged a number of key questions in relation to an SNP MP embroiled in a property buying scandal.
At First Minister's questions, Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson demanded answers on how much the SNP knew about the Michelle Thomson row ahead of it being exposed in a newspaper nearly two weeks ago. And following a statement from the Edinburgh West MP this morning indicating she wanted to return to frontline politics as soon as possible, Ruth also asked if the First Minister would welcome her back.
Instead, Ms Sturgeon accused political opponents of "mudslinging" and "stirring up trouble" by raising the issue, adding she'd wait for the conclusion of any investigation before deciding on the MP's future.
Police are investigating allegations that Ms Thomson was involved in irregularities with property transactions. But the First Minister said the first she knew of the story was when she read it in the Sunday Times a fortnight ago.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
"This is a First Minister who likes to be in charge of everything - but when trouble strikes she seems constantly surprised.
"The answers are always the same, whether it's about this, government hand-outs for T in the Park or accusations of cronyism relating to wealthy SNP donors.
"But given police were called in three months ago and journalists have been investigating this all summer, people will find it difficult to believe nobody in the SNP knew anything.
"And police investigations aside, the First Minister needs to say if this is the kind of person she wants to welcome back to the SNP's front benches.
"These are very serious questions in relation to ethics and morality, especially for a party which so shamelessly regards itself as worldly superior to everyone else.
"Surely the First Minister can agree no senior spokesperson should exploit the poor and vulnerable in this way, and that anyone who does has no future in the party."
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