Salmond cleared over prisoner row

The inquiry found Mr Salmond was right not to reveal a prisoner's details

First Minister Alex Salmond did not mislead the Scottish Parliament during a row over on-the-run prisoners, an inquiry has concluded.

Mr Salmond was accused of withholding the fact that a killer had gone missing from an open jail near Dundee during an exchange at Holyrood in May.

The inquiry was prompted by a complaint from Labour leader Iain Gray.

It ruled that Mr Salmond had followed protocol and had not breached the ministerial code.

The row erupted after Mr Salmond was asked during First Minister's Questions about inmates going on the run from open prisons.

He did not mention during the debate that convicted killer John Brown had absconded from Castle Huntly, near Dundee, the previous day.

The inquiry, led by former Presiding Officer Lord Steel, found that Mr Salmond was right to withhold the information until police made it public.

Mr Salmond said: "I am delighted with this outcome, which totally vindicates the position of the Scottish Government."