Thread by @ScotlandSpeaks

📺 Regarding the alternative options available to @ScotGov, including #Arbitration and #Mediation to resolve complaints.

"Mediation [was] available for current ministers, but not former ministers" .. "Mediation [was] missing .. for no understandable reason..."

#SalmondSpeaks

📰 "[#Arbitration] designed to provide a cheaper/ more private was of dealing with disputes."

"The idea that that wouldn't have been a better way to approach this matter – than what has transpired over the last 3 yrs – would be an extraordinary position to adopt"

#SalmondSpeaks

💡"If people would say, 'on reflection we could have avoided this disaster and saved the Scottish people £600,000' – that might be a good thing for people to say." .. "But people who took a decision might be expected to defend it, however disastrous the decision turned out to be"

🤯 "The difficulty with that argument @AlasdairAllan [re #mediation] it was rejected by @PermSecScot before it was put to the complainants."

"In terms of #arbitration, it was rejected without putting it to the complainants at all." They weren't even consulted!"

#SalmondSpeaks

📌 "#Arbitration was designed to see if the policy was proper and legal, not to apply it to any particular case."

"People will find it surprising that anyone is arguing that the #JudicialReview was worth the public expenditure that the @ScotGov wasted upon it..."

#SalmondSpeaks

🔥 "One thing we can absolutely say is that the Lord Advocate's advice on these matters was subsequently found to not stand the test of the Court of Session."

"The record of @ScotGov on this case is not one that anyone would have a great deal of confidence in."

#SalmondSpeaks