Evans urged to face MSPs over botched Salmond probe
A HOLYROOD inquiry into the Government’s botched Alex Salmond probe has invited a top civil servant to give evidence next month.
Leslie Evans, who Salmond singled out for criticism in the debacle, has been asked about communications between herself and Nicola Sturgeon.
Two years ago, Sturgeon’s Government investigated allegations of sexual misconduct against Salmond when he was First Minister. He challenged the Government in court and a judge ruled the internal probe had been tainted by bias and was unlawful.
A committee of MSPs was set up to examine a fiasco, which cost over £500,000 of public money.
A key issue under consideration is the contact between Sturgeon and Salmond when the Government investigation was ongoing. After criticism by opposition MSPs, Sturgeon referred herself to examiners to determine whether she had breached the ministerial code.
Committee convener Linda Fabiani MSP has written to Evans, the Permanent Secretary: “The committee seeks to establish who knew what and at what point, and to consider the nature of the meetings between the First Minister and Alex Salmond.”
She added: “The committee therefore asks to receive the communication between you and the First Minister during the period of events which led to the First Minister’s self-referral together with any communication you may have been copied into or are aware of having taken place in this context.” Fabiani also wrote that the development of the policy under which Salmond was investigated is being looked at.