Foreword by the First Minister
I am pleased to be issuing this Code of Conduct for Ministers of the Scottish Government, and in so doing, to confirm my strong personal commitment to serving the people of Scotland in an open, honest and transparent way.
This is a crucial time for Scotland. As First Minister, I want to drive our nation forward, maximise our success and do everything in my power to deliver greater opportunity for all. Such ambitions can only be achieved if Scottish Ministers earn and maintain the trust, support and respect of Scottish people.
That is why this Code is so important. In outlining the highest standards of transparency, probity and propriety by which all Scottish Ministers must be held to account, the Code makes clear the obligations and responsibilities required of those in whom the electorate has placed its trust and, as First Minister, I will ensure that all members of my Government carry out their Ministerial duties in accordance with the terms of this Code.
The Code acts as a guidebook for each and every Minister as he or she seeks to fulfil his or her official duties. As well as expecting all Ministers to work within the letter and spirit of the Code, I wish to make clear that I too am bound by its terms. In addition, Ministers are also Members of the Scottish Parliament (with the exception of the Law Officers) and are therefore obliged to adhere to the terms of the Code of Conduct for Members of the Scottish Parliament and are bound by the Interests of Members of the Scottish Parliament Act 2006, taken together with Section 39 of the Scotland Act 1998.
The Scottish Government has a responsibility to maximise our nation's potential fairly, democratically and accountably. The people of Scotland rightly expect us to maintain the highest standards in doing so. This Code will help guide us and I ask that Ministers and civil servants adhere to it.
Scotland deserves no less.
The Rt Hon Alex Salmond MSPMP
First Minister of Scotland