The BBC has issued a clarification on social media after a headline on the Six O’Clock news claimed that Alex Salmond wanted Nicola Sturgeon to resign as First Minister.
A statement from the corporation read:“On the Six O’Clock news headline tonight we said that Alex Salmond had claimed the First Minister had ‘broken the ministerial code and that he thinks she should resign'. We would like to clarify that Mr Salmond did not say that the First Minister should resign.”
READ MORE: Alex Salmond claims a 'calculated and deliberate' suppression of evidence
It added: “He said “I've got no doubt that Nicola has broken the ministerial code but it’s not for me to suggest what the consequences should be” (2/2)”
On the Six O’Clock news headline tonight we said that Alex Salmond had claimed the First Minister had ‘broken the ministerial code and that he thinks she should resign'. We would like to clarify that Mr Salmond did not say that the First Minister should resign. (1/2)
— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) February 26, 2021
BBC News Scotland Editor Sarah Smith initially said on the programme, "He believes Nicola Sturgeon has misled Parliament and broken the ministerial code which he thinks means she should resign."
She has since apologised for the error writing: “ On the 6 o’clock news headline tonight I said that Alex Salmond had claimed the First Minister had ‘broken the ministerial code and that he thinks she should resign’. I would like to clarify that Mr Salmond did not say that the First Minister should resign.
1. On the 6 o’clock news headline tonight I said that Alex Salmond had claimed the First Minister had ‘broken the ministerial code and that he thinks she should resign’. I would like to clarify that Mr Salmond did not say that the First Minister should resign.
— sarah smith (@BBCsarahsmith) February 26, 2021
“He said “I've got no doubt that Nicola has broken the ministerial code but it’s not for me to suggest what the consequences should be”
Footage of the report is now circulating widely on social media.
Wow.
— David Patterson Jnr (@DavidPSNP) February 26, 2021
He. Did. Not. Say. That. @BBCScotlandNews pic.twitter.com/Uu9vINqxKs
The former first minister was speaking during an appearance at the Scottish Parliament inquiry.
READ MORE: Alex Salmond: 'Scotland's leadership has failed'
Mr Salmond gave an account to the committee of meetings he had with Ms Sturgeon that appeared to contradict her version of events.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser asked Alex Salmond if Nicola Sturgeon should resign if she is found to have broken the ministerial code, to which Salmond replied: "Not for me.
“I believe the First Minister has broken the ministerial code but it is a finding that can be discussed, at least by this committee, by Mr James Hamilton. It's not the case that every minister who breaks the ministerial code resigns, your party had an example of that very recently, it depends what is found."
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