FIRST minister Nicola Sturgeon has been cleared by an independent investigation following allegations she broke the Scottish Ministerial Code.

Irish lawyer James Hamilton QC published his findings today (March 22) in a 61-page document.

Mr Hamilton wrote that Ms Sturgeon “did not breach” the code.

The BBC reports that the First Minister has welcomed the result.

Ms Sturgeon said: “Mr Hamilton has considered all of the allegations against me, and I am happy that his report’s findings clear me of any breach of the ministerial code.

“I sought at every stage in this issue to act with integrity and in the public interest.

“As I have previously made clear, I did not consider that I had broken the code, but these findings are official, definitive and independent adjudication of that.

“Prior to its publication, opposition politicians stressed the importance of respecting and accepting the outcome of Mr Hamilton’s independent inquiry, and I committed wholeheartedly to doing so.

“Now that he has reported, it is incumbent on them to do likewise."