John Swinney to face FMQs after calling for investigation into Mandelson

John Swinney is to face questions from the opposition after ordering an investigation into his Government’s dealings with Peter Mandelson to see if the “interests of Scotland have been undermined.

Lord Mandelson, who resigned from the House of Lords this week after more revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein were revealed, is currently under police investigation over alleged misconduct in public office.

Documents released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show the former US ambassador, who served as a minister in the governments of Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, passing government information to the disgraced paedophile financier during the financial crash.

The First Minister questioned the Prime Minister’s judgment in appointing Lord Mandelson to the role, given his friendship with Epstein was already known, and said he had instructed the country’s top civil servant to launch a probe.

Swinney said Starmer had shown to have demonstrated “the most appalling lack of judgment in the appointment of Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the United States”.

The First Minister is also likely to face questions on The Promise as it reaches its sixth anniversary.

The Promise is a landmark report which followed Scotland’s Independent Care Review, which set out a long-term commitment to transform the care system for children and young people.

Swinney announced £9.5 million of funding which will go towards supporting the education and wellbeing of care-experienced children and young people

He said: “The Scottish Government is absolutely committed to fulfilling The Promise, which is about improving the lives of care-experienced young people in Scotland.”