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Mr Matheson says there has always been government engagement with non departmental bodies.

The justice secretary says that is no different from previous administrations.

Tory MSP Gordon Lindhurst says the right thing to do is for Mr Matheson to resign.

Tory MSP Maurice Corry says "meddling" cannot be tolerated.

How can the cabinet secretary continue relations with those have suggested he has interfered, Mr Corry asks.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson repeats he has not intervened and says he has no idea about what cover up Mr Corry is referring to.

Labour MSP Neil Findlay says he understands the minister's confusion as there are so many cover ups.

Labour MSP Mary Fee queries whether there has been any breach of the civil servants code.

Michael Matheson says it is a matter for the civil service.

Lib Dems Liam McArthur says the interference is serious.

He suggests it is a result of the centralisation nature of power and argues the temptation to intervene would be less were powers shared more widely.

Mr Matheson reiterates that the Scottish government did not know what was in the report.

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Green MSP John Finnie asks about relationships between Mr Matheson and Pirc.

Mr Finnie asks what would constitute political interference if this is not.

The justice secretary says the government provides advice and guidance to the Pirc.

He again stresses the independent nature of Pirc.

Tory MSP Liam Kerr says an "attempt at interference is still interference."

He suggests Mr Matheson has fallen short of standards expected of him and urges him to resign.

Michael Matheson declines and says he will continue to do his job properly.

He says officials had no knowledge of the content of Pirc's report when the email was sent on 30 November.

It is legitimate for the government to highlight potential risks that may be relevant to a public body, he argues.

The Pirc has made it clear that there had been no interference in the publication, he states.

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Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says he fully supports the independence of Pirc.

Mr Matheson says Pirc has made it clear there was no interference with the publication of the report.

Mr Johnson says the crucial question was did the government atttempt to interfere, which was the the view of Pirc in December he says.

Mr Matheson says the Pirc "There has been no instance of government interference" in relation to the document and its publication.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson says he supports the independence of Pirc.

The timing of the audit report remains with the commissioner at all stages, he says.

Mr Johnson asks when the minister became aware of the email from an official to the commissioner.

The justice secretary says he was made aware of the matter on 25 January.

He accepts the email from an officials to the commissioner on 30 November could be seen as interference.

Image source, Pirc

The head of a police watchdog warned a Scottish government aide against interfering with her independence.

Emails obtained by the Sunday Post, external show one of the Justice Secretary's staff suggested the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) delay publishing a report.

The suggestion happened against the backdrop of misconduct allegations against Chief Constable Phil Gormley.

The Scottish government denied any interference in the report.

Read more.

Labour MSP Daniel Johnson asks about reported allegations of “government interference” in the independence of the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

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MSPs will now ask questions on topical issues.

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Reverend Christine Barclay from Peter’s Church in Linlithgow and St Columba’s Church in Bathgate delivers today's time for refelction.

Topical questions on possible government interference in Pirc investigations and trains skipping stops will be asked.

Image source, Getty Images

Afterwards, the stage 3 debate on the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill takes place.

Finally there will be a members’ debate on St Andrew’s First Aid, led by Labour MSP Johann Lamont.

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Convener Lewis Macdonald thanks the witnesses and moves the committee into private session.

In 2008, the Scottish government introduced its Road to Recovery strategy, external focused on tackling the country's drug problems "through prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, education and enforcement".

Danny Campbell, who is project manager at North Edinburgh Drug Advice Centre, believed the strategy had been "distorted" to become "just about abstinence".

He insisted that becoming drug free was not the right solution for all addicts.

Mr Campbell told BBC Scotland's social affairs correspondent: "The Road to Recovery was about whole journey from chaos to an element that may not include abstinence.

Noting Scotland performs worst in the EU on drugs, Green MSP Alison Johnstone asks why Scotland is doing so badly.

Andrew Horne says he is not that the pessimistic.

Scotland has made huge strides in recent decades, he states, adding there has been a "huge shift" in the dynamic of the country.

Road to Recovery is a good document but we need to do more, Mr Horne says.

David Liddell suggests the challenge is about altering wider social policy which feeds into drug problems.

Tackling stigma around methadone is cited as an example.

Mr Liddell argues funding is needed to tackle it, but this has not been forthcoming because the population affected is not seen as "worthy or deserving".

Mr Horne says: "At the moment we measure process."

He says recovery means different things to different people, it could mean alcohol or drug free or non-problematic use.

It is also about quality, he stresses.

Mr Horne says on the walls of his services he has put "60% of people who come to Addaction feel better and do better."