'I roundly reject any suggestion I am corrupt or that my position is compromised'

John Swinney details about the upcoming prosecution involving Nicola Sturgeon’s estranged husband despite them not being public knowledge at the time.

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Dorothy Bain insisted she had followed procedure. Inset, Peter Murrell

The private email was sent directly to his office last month but then shared with SNP special advisers, with it including details about the previously undisclosed indictment.

Former First Minister Jack McConnell also questioned the Lord Advocate’s decision, suggesting that when he served in the role he had never received similar briefings.

He stated: “The Lord Advocate is correct to remind ministers that they should not comment on a live case.

“But I cannot recall ever being briefed ahead of such a case on charges or timetable and it would always have been particularly unacceptable for such information to be requested for a case where I had any connection to the accused.”

Labour MSP Michael Marra also waded into the argument. He told Holyrood: “In writing to the First Minister, the Lord Advocate provided information that was available to nobody else.

“That information conferred clear political advantage to the First Minister.

“This absolutely stinks. On what planet is it not political interference?”

Mr Marra asked the Lord Advocate if she accepted “that, in sending this information to the First Minister, she has compromised them both?”