Findlay refuses to say sorry to Lord Advocate

Row flares over his 'corruption' claim

- BY DOUGLAS DICKIE

SCOTS Tory leader Russell Findlay has rejected suggestions he owes the Lord Advocate an apology after describing her decision to give John Swinney advance notice of charges against Peter Murrell as "corruption".

Dorothy Bain has faced questions after it emerged she informed the First Minister of the total amount of money the former SNP chief executive is accused of embezzling from the party.

Mr Swinney lost his cool at a fiery FMQs on Thursday, when the issue was raised, while Ms Bain has also rejected suggestions she was acting outwith her remit.

Despite being head of prosecutions in Scotland, Ms Bain also sits in the SNP cabinet as the government's chief legal adviser.

The dual role has come under scrutiny, with calls increasing to split the jobs to ensure the prosecution service is independent of the government.

Quizzed on BBC Scotland, Mr Findlay responded "absolutely not" when asked by host Gary Robertson: "Do you owe the Lord Advocate an apology for the claims you made?"