Scotland's Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth has rejected claims that she bullied officials, calling reports of the allegations "entirely baseless". The claims, first published by the Scottish Sun last month, alleged she had become more difficult to work with since being promoted by First Minister John Swinney, and that she had sent an email naming and criticising staff members she disliked. Gilruth denies sending any such email and says a freedom of information request will confirm this.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast, Gilruth said she did not recognise the anonymous claims and described the atmosphere within her team as "very good" and "very supportive". The Scottish Government previously denied the email existed, though it did not directly address separate claims about her being difficult to work with. Gilruth was moved from Education Secretary to Finance Secretary and Deputy First Minister in Swinney's post-election reshuffle in May, ahead of rivals including Mairi McAllan, Angela Constance and Shirley-Anne Somerville, taking on civil servants previously under Kate Forbes.