Education Secretary Mike Russell sorry for college claim

Scottish Education Secretary Mike Russell has made a "full and unreserved" apology to MSPs for giving wrong information on college budgets.

He told parliament in June there was no cut in funding in 2012-13, when it actually fell by £9.3m.

Labour said Mr Russell had "knowingly misled" parliament, and suggested the minister should resign.

Mr Russell's comments followed an apology from first minister Alex Salmond last week on a similar issue.

Referring to an answer he gave to Labour MSP Hanzala Malik on 28 June, the education secretary told parliament: "I said there was no reduction in funding for colleges in financial year 2012-13.

"However, when you include all budget revisions, the revised 2012-13 budget is £9.3m lower than the previous year.

"I should have immediately recognised the answer I gave was not right. I did not, I apologise for that to the whole chamber, and, in particular Mr Malik."

Labour education spokesman Hugh Henry said: "Mike Russell misled the Scottish Parliament in June, despite knowing the true figures since February. Why has it taken him five months to apologise?"

Mr Henry said that, under the ministerial code, ministers who knowingly mislead parliament were expected to resign.

- BBC.co.uk