Alex Salmond was embroiled in a political storm last night after he was accused of secretly doctoring parliamentary records in an attempt to cover up his mistakes.
The Press and Journal revealed yesterday that the first minister had taken steps to correct an official report after he wrongly claimed about 18,000 people were employed in the renewable energy industry instead of about 11,000.
It emerged last night that Mr Salmond’s deputy private secretary sent an e-mail to Holyrood’s official report department last Thursday requesting the record be changed.
Opposition MSPs, particularly Conservative Liz Smith, whose question about windfarms on October 25 resulted in the 18,000 jobs claim, had been unaware of the SNP leader’s actions.
Parliamentary rules state that MSPs must ensure inaccurate statements are corrected in the official report at the earliest possible opportunity, the member who raised the matter must be informed by letter, and a copy of the correction placed in the Scottish Parliament information centre.
Holyrood’s presiding officer Tricia Marwick confirmed that the official report had been amended yesterday afternoon.
Ms Smith said Mr Salmond’s actions were not those of a “credible and competent” first minister and “called into question the integrity of parliament”.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said he must appear before MSPs to apologise and explain himself.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said: “This is an outrageous attempt by Alex Salmond to rewrite history.
“He has shamed his office, diminished this parliament and ridden roughshod over the public’s trust.”
The row erupted after Mr Salmond and Education Secretary Mike Russell were forced to apologise over incorrect figures on college funding.
North-east Labour MSP Richard Baker said of Mr Salmond: “He doesn’t even apologise, he just gets the Tipp-Ex out and changes the official record. Scotland deserves better.”
A spokesman for Mr Salmond said Mr Baker’s comments were “pathetic”.
“The first minister was making the point that the renewable energy sector in Scotland is supporting many thousands of jobs, and the parliament’s official record has now been updated to reflect the correct current number of jobs,” he said.