Ireland’s former DPP to lead investigation into Scottish First Minister

Mr Hamilton, who served as Ireland’s Director of Public Prosecutions from 1999 to 2011, was appointed an independent adviser on the Scottish Ministerial Code in 2013.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon referred herself to the panel of independent advisers earlier this month over concerns she breached the ministerial code by meeting with her predecessor, former First Minister Alex Salmond, while he was under Scottish Government investigation for sexual misconduct.

Mr Hamilton, born in Dublin, called to The Bar of Ireland in 1973 and previously headed the Attorney General’s Office.

Professor Carol Coulter of NUI Galway School of Law has described him as “very independent and very tough-minded”.

He also led last year’s investigation into whether Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones misled the National Assembly of Wales when he denied knowledge of bullying in his government.