Former First Minister investigation and trial: FOI release

Information requested

1. The name(s), job title(s) and employer(s) of the person or persons who decided what charges should be brought in the criminal proceedings against the former First Minister. 

2. The name(s) of any SNP MSP who had an input to the charges brought against the former First Minister. The name(s) of any SNP member(s) of staff who had an input to the charges brought against the former First Minister.

You also expressed concerns in relation to the person(s) involved in the decision as to which charges should be brought and raised questions about his/her continuation in post following the outcome of the trial of the former First Minister.

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested. The Scottish Government was not a party to the criminal proceedings and is unable to comment on the decision taken to prosecute the former First Minister. Such decisions lie with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS). For clarity, COPFS take decisions on prosecutions in Scotland entirely independent of the Scottish Government or any other body. The attached link explains further the work of the COPFS. 
https://www.copfs.gov.uk/

This is a formal notice under section 17(1) of FOISA that the Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested, however you may wish to contact the COPFS at foi@copfs.gov.uk.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.