Call for investigation into Alex Salmond visit to Aberdeen school

Mr Salmond visited Bramble Brae Primary in Aberdeen

Scotland's most senior civil servant is to be asked to investigate First Minister Alex Salmond's professional conduct over a school visit.

Mr Salmond made the unannounced visit during the Aberdeen Donside by-election to the city's Bramble Brae Primary.

Council chief executive Valerie Watts will write to Scottish government permanent secretary Sir Peter Housden.

The Labour-led local authority said there were concerns about pupil welfare and the timing of Mr Salmond's visit.

The visit to the closure-threatened school was two days before the by-election, which was won by the SNP.

The Scottish government said it was an impromptu visit following an invitation from a member of the school's parent council.

A spokesman for the first minister said: "It is quite clear from this motion by Labour and the Tories that their concerns are nothing to do with the visit to Bramble Brae School, and are more to do with their defeat in last week's Donside by-election.

"Both Labour and the Tories should remember they are the administration of Aberdeen City Council, albeit a pretty poor one - they do not own the city, as their ridiculous motion suggests. The visit to primary six pupils at Bramble Brae, as has previously been pointed out, followed an impromptu invitation and was a totally private event with no media in attendance.

"What is beyond any doubt is that the threat by the Tory-Labour administration to close Bramble Brae and Middelton Park schools was very much part of the by-election campaign, and it is entirely legitimate that parents and campaigners fighting to keep them open should voice their views.

"The fact Labour and the Tories would rather silence them is reprehensible and undemocratic - and shows they have learned nothing from their by-election defeat."