John Swinney facing vote of no confidence tomorrow

But the no confidence vote, which has been lodged by the Scottish Conservatives, is unlikely to succeed as the Greens have made clear they will not back it.

The party's co-leader Patrick Harvie accused the Conservatives of playing a "pathetic political game just weeks ahead of an election". 

The Tories first tabled their no confidence threat two weeks ago, forcing Mr Swinney to release the Government's legal advice relating to Mr Salmond's judicial review.

Mr Swinney acted after it became clear opposition parties would back the Tory motion.

MSPs had twice voted for the legal advice to be released.

A Holyrood inquiry is looking into how the Government botched its probe into sexual misconduct allegations made against Mr Salmond in 2018.

Mr Salmond had the exercise set aside in a judicial review after the Government conceded it was unlawful and “tainted by apparent bias”, an error that left taxpayers with a £512,000 bill for his legal costs.

He was later cleared of multiple charges of sexual assault at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Mr Swinney faced a vote of no confidence last year following the exam results debacle, but survived as a result of support from the Greens.

Tomorrow's vote has been scheduled for 2.50pm.

Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said: "The Scottish Greens will always defend the integrity of the Scottish Parliament, and that is why we backed the call for John Swinney to release evidence that the harassment committee and parliament had asked for.

"That evidence clearly showed the Scottish Government had failed the women who came forward, and this, rather than opportunistic political theatre, should be the focus.

"The Tories called it a screeching U-turn last week, but this week they still want a political scalp to show for it.

"The evidence provided cannot be both the bombshell revelation they claimed, and at the same time inadequate to draw conclusions on the issues that matter."

Mr Harvie added: "It's clear from this naked attempt to undermine our democratic institutions, and from the line of questioning from their committee members, that the Scottish Conservatives have no interest in making sure women are supported coming forward with complaints in the future.

"For them, this vote of no confidence is a pathetic political game just weeks ahead of an election in which they have nothing positive to offer the people of Scotland."

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: "Any time John Swinney is in trouble, the Greens set aside all principles and ride to his rescue.

"The Greens have shown again that they will let the SNP away with anything, even ignoring votes of the Scottish Parliament.

"Their cause always comes first – and that’s independence, not the environment. Their true colours are not green, they are SNP yellow.

"Patrick Harvie is back in his happy place - Nicola Sturgeon’s pocket. The Greens have shown they are too weak to stand up to the SNP and support the position they already set out in two votes of the Scottish Parliament."

“The case for the vote of no confidence in John Swinney is clear to any impartial observer. 

"We can no longer trust him to do the right thing. He has abused his power to cover up crucial evidence."

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie indicated his party will vote in favour of the motion.

It came as members of the Holyrood inquiry said they were "extremely frustrated" at Government delays in handing over evidence.

The committee also said it is "not reassured it has received all relevant information". 

It was responding to a letter from Mr Swinney in which he confirmed minutes of meetings between Nicola Sturgeon, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans and the Scottish Government's legal counsel could not be found.