• •The SNP has formally requested a probe into a private meeting between Minister of State Douglas Alexander and Global Counsel, a strategic advisory firm founded by Lord Mandelson.
• •The party is seeking clarity on whether ministerial code guidelines were followed regarding transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
• •It remains unconfirmed whether any specific policy decisions were discussed or if the meeting was properly registered under current lobbying disclosure rules.

The Scottish National Party has called for an investigation into a meeting held between UK trade minister Douglas Alexander and Global Counsel, a firm linked to Lord Mandelson. This development follows recent scrutiny over the transparency of government interactions with private advisory bodies. However, details regarding the scope of the discussion remain private, and the government has yet to comment on specific compliance claims. Whether this meeting constitutes a breach of ministerial standards will depend on the findings of an internal review or a formal probe.