The project is over-budget and overdue

Jack McConnell unveiled details of the inquiry in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

He said Lord Fraser, a former lord advocate under the Tory government, would be assisted by the auditor general in his work.

He told MSPs: "I have said consistently for a number of weeks that this was a complex situation that required serious thought and preparation.

"I believe Lord Fraser is an independent, objective person with a reputation that commands respect across the political spectrum and across Scotland."

Under questioning from Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, Mr McConnell said: "The inquiry should have full access to all the relevant information and I hope also access to any of the relevant individuals.

Earlier inquiry

"I certainly intend that Lord Fraser will have available to him any documents, any information, any advice that he requires that relates to the Scottish Executive or more particularly the position before 1999."

Mr McConnell said he had "absolutely no doubt" that information from between 1997 and 1999 would be available to the inquiry.

He said the auditor general had been given access in an earlier inquiry.

And he stressed that he would intervene where necessary to get access to the information required.

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie is a former lord advocate

"I am determined that the investigation into both the costs and the delays in the Holyrood building project is full, it is open, it is transparent, it gets to the bottom, it answers the questions that the people of Scotland are asking and that there are no barriers put in the way of Lord Fraser producing a report that can stand the test of time and make sure that this never happens again."

The detailed terms of the inquiry will be decided over the next few weeks in talks involving the first minister and Presiding Officer George Reid.

Mr Swinney said he would hold Mr McConnell to his word.

"In particular, I will hold him to his personal promise to ensure that all witnesses and documents required by the inquiry are forthcoming," he said.

"The first minister has our support in launching this inquiry but he must be true to his word."

The announcement was also welcomed by Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie.

'Achilles heel'

However, he stressed that the inquiry must be held in public and said that the process needed the "wholehearted backing" of the Scottish secretary and the UK Government.

"This is the Achilles heel in today's statement," he claimed.

"Without all the relevant people and papers the inquiry will be toothless and fall short of the full, public investigation that the first minister promised to the people of Scotland."

Latest estimates have put the bill for the building at £375m.

The original budget for the project was set at a maximum of £40m.