While the opportunity to recognise the First Minister’s service is next week, at his final First Minister’s Questions Scottish Labour continued to hold Alex Salmond’s Government to account.

Jackie Baillie MSP said:

“Mike Russell, Alex Neil and Kenny MacAskill have presided over education cuts, an NHS in crisis and a justice system in chaos. Yet again the First Minister was forced to defend their record as Ministers but the people of Scotland know they are letting students, patients and the justice system down.”

“We know the First Minister was passionate about independence. The tragedy is that he was so blinkered by that passion that Government actions to tackle poverty, reduce inequality and deliver social justice were pushed into second place.”

“His legacy as First Minister will be his failure to use the powers at his disposal to make Scotland a better place