The Scottish Government has published the 2026 edition of the Scottish Ministerial Code, the rulebook on conduct and procedure for members of the Scottish Government and junior ministers.
The First Minister’s foreword
In his foreword, the First Minister writes that the public rightly expects the highest standards from those in office, and that ministers must act with integrity, openness and accountability and respect Parliament and the rule of law. He says ministers should follow the spirit of the code as well as its letter, adding that public trust is “hard won and easily lost”.
Why it matters
The code is the main reference for questions about ministerial conduct, including declaring interests and dealing with Parliament. The full text is available from the linked publication.
