First Minister John Swinney has dismissed an accusation of bullying against his deputy Jenny Gilruth as "baseless".

The Scottish Sun on Sunday reported that Gilruth wrote an email naming officials in her department that she wanted to axe, which was accidentally sent to them.

An insider told the newspaper that staff were "terrified" of the deputy first minister because she is a "bully".

Swinney said there was "no basis" to the accusations and that "there was no email issued by deputy first minister or her office".

He added: "There is no basis for these claims so there is nowhere for this story to go."

The Sun on Sunday alleged that Gilruth sent an email to her private office naming staff members that she wanted to be removed.

An insider told the newspaper that the deputy first minister "basically named and shamed everybody, saying they are not worthy of working for her".

They also claimed that the email had gone to the whole department in error.

Gilruth, a former Modern Studies teacher, served as education secretary before being promoted to deputy first minister and finance secretary in May.

She is married to ex-Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale.

Political rivals have called for Gilruth to face a Holyrood inquiry.

Scottish Labour acting leader Jackie Baillie said: "John Swinney must launch a full investigation into these claims and make it clear that there is zero tolerance for bullying in his government."

Earlier, the Scottish government said: "These claims are factually wrong. Staffing decisions rest with civil service managers, not ministers.

"As is standard after any reshuffle, staffing support in private offices was reviewed, and changes were made in several ministerial offices following the election."