Sturgeon’s hubby to face Salmond probe
MSPs call in SNP chief executive over texts urging cops to be ‘pressurised’
NICOLA Sturgeon’s husband has been called to give evidence to Holyrood’s Alex Salmond inquiry.
MSPs want to quiz Peter Murrell after he sent texts which showed him urging the police to be pressured over Salmond.
A committee of MSPs is probing how the Government botched the probe of sexual misconduct claims against Salmond.
The former first minister pursued a judicial review and it was agreed the Government probe had been unlawful. The debacle cost the taxpayer more than £500,000.
Separately, Salmond was charged with sexual of fences but was acquitted earlier this year.
SNP MP Kenny MacAski l l said in September he’d received an anonymous document about the criminal side of the Salmond case.
It showed messages sent by Murrell, who is SNP chief executive, the day after Salmond was charged last year.
MacAski l l passed the document to the Holyrood committee.
The first message said: “Totally agree folk should be asking the police questions... report now with the PF on charges which leaves police twiddling their thumbs. So good time to be pressurising them. Would be good to know Met looking at events in London.”
The second said: “The more fronts he’s having to firefight on the better for all complainers, so CPS action would be a good thing.”
Murrell informed the committee in writing that he had sent the messages, but said he had not expressed himself “well”.
In previous correspondence, the committee also quizzed him about meetings Sturgeon had with Salmond over the Government probe.
Murrell answered the questions in writing, but the committee agreed this week to request oral evidence on December 8.
Meanwhile, MSPs have again voted for the Government to hand over their legal advice in the Salmond case.
The move came after ministers failed to comply with the first demand.
Labour MSP Jackie Bai l lie accused the Government during the debate of being “world leaders at dissembling, obstruction and secrecy”.