NICOLA Sturgeon is to be quizzed on her handling of the Covid pandemic by the chairs of Holyrood’s committees next month, it has been confirmed.

The First Minister is also expected to be questioned about the Scottish Government’s record on climate change and her plans for independence by conveners on March 2.

The Scottish Government's controversial gender recognition reforms may also feature.

The two-hour session is the first since the Holyrood election in May and the first since the Government included Scottish Green party ministers.

It was originally slated for December, then postponed because of Covid restrictions. 

Ms Sturgeon has said plans to revive independence campaigning in the spring and has ordered officials to prepare a prospectus for a referendum by late 2023.

However Boris Johnson continues to block a vote by denying Holyrood the power to hold it.

Conveners from the unionist parties will want to know how that would interact with the Government’s other priorities.

Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, Deputy Presiding Officer and Chair of the Conveners Group, said: “I am pleased to confirm we have rescheduled this important session with the First Minister.

“Our Parliamentary Committees play a vital role in scrutinising the work of the Scottish Government and this session is yet another way that they can hold those running the country to account.

“This is the first time in Session Six, Conveners collectively will have the opportunity to raise cross cutting issues such as climate change and the pandemic directly with Nicola Sturgeon.  

“I am looking forward to what I hope will be an interesting and informative session.”