First Minister faces conduct probe over Salmond meetings
Prosecutor to judge on Sturgeon intervention
NICOLA Sturgeon is facing a standards probe over her meetings with Alex Salmond during her Government’s botched sexual misconduct investigation.
Former prosecutor James Hamilton will judge whether Sturgeon’s actions breached the ministerial code of conduct.
In 2018, Sturgeon’s Government investigated complaints against Salmond when he was in office.
But Salmond challenged the handling of the investigation which was ruled to be biased and unlawful.
A Holyrood committee is examining a fiasco which cost more than £500,000 of public money.
A key controversy is that Sturgeon and Salmond met on multiple occasions during the internal Government probe, and also spoke on the telephone.
She had a meeting which included Salmond’s former chief of staff Geoff Aberdein.
Separate to the Holyrood committee probe, Sturgeon previously said she would refer herself to a panel of experts in relation to meetings.
This exercise was paused after Salmond was charged but following his acquittal in court, the Government has confirmed the referral will commence.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “On January 31, 2019, I advised Parliament that the Ministerial Code referral had to be paused to avoid any risk of prejudice to live criminal proceedings.
“Since the conclusion of those proceedings, the attention of the Government has been focused on leading Scotland’s response
global health emergency. In light of the progress that has been made we are now able to re-commence the referral.”
The remit includes reviewing any relevant documents relating to the meetings and discussions between Salmond and Sturgeon.
Interviews will take place with any Minister or civil servant who may have any “knowledge of the facts and content” of the meetings and discussions.
Hamilton may interview any “relevant” people outside the Scottish Government, including Salmond.
It will determine if Sturgeon attempted to use information discussed during those meetings to influence the Government investigation into Salmond.
Swinney confirmed a separate review into the Government procedure that underpinned the Salmond investigation. Laura Dunlop QC will lead the review and will advise on any changes.