Sturgeon: We can’t ignore Salmond sex pest claims
Probe defence as he denies allegations
I have made many mistakes... but I’ve not engaged in criminality ALEX SALMOND REFUTING ALLEGATIONS
NICOLA Sturgeon said yesterday sexual harassment claims against Alex Salmond could not be “ignored or swept under the carpet”.
The Scottish Government has probed alleged incidents dating to 2013 at Bute House, Edinburgh, while Mr Salmond was First Minister.
He has branded the claims “patently ridiculous” and will take court action over the process, claiming he was not allowed to properly challenge them.
But First Minister Ms Sturgeon said the probe was about a principle that “must be applied regardless of the identity, seniority or political allegiance of the person involved”.
And she added: “This focus on process cannot deflect from the fact that complaints were made that could not be ignored or swept under the carpet.”
The allegations by two female staff members at Bute House, the First Minister’s official residence, were made in January and probed by top civil servant Leslie Evans. Her decision is not known.
Ms Sturgeon, who was Mr Salmond’s deputy at the time of the alleged offences, added: “These complaints have been considered under a procedure agreed by me in December 2017 in the wake of public concern about harassment. I was informed by the Permanent Secretary earlier this week she had completed her investigation and intended to make the fact of the complaints public.
“Alex Salmond is now challenging the procedure. The Scottish Government refutes his criticisms.”
Mr Salmond said he was “no saint”, adding: “I have made many mistakes in my life, political and personal.”
But he said: “I have not sexually harassed anyone and have not been engaged in criminality. The procedure is unfair and will lead to prejudicial outcomes.”
Police Scotland said enquiries were at an early stage. The Scottish Labour Party urged the SNP to suspend Mr Salmond.