Indy could be in doubt after war of words

NICOLA Sturgeon’s appearance at the Holyrood Inquiry was rightly billed as the biggest test of her political career.

Against a backdrop of blame and recrimination, she had to explain how her government messed up a sexual misconduct probe into predecessor Alex Salmond.

The wider allegations levelled against her were career-ending.

Her government stood accused of pushing ahead with a pointless legal defence against Salmond which increased costs to the taxpayer.

Her former mentor claimed she misled parliament over their meetings during the live probe and alleged a wider conspiracy involving her husband to jail him.

Hours before she appeared, the Tories cranked up the pressure by tabling a motion of no confidence in Sturgeon. However, after a marathon evidence session, it is difficult to argue she is on the way out.

The Scottish Government’s legal advice, which it handed over to save deputy first minister John Swinney’s job, confirmed their defence was doomed. But at the same time, it revealed Lord Advocate James Wolffe was not in favour of conceding.

The contents of the legal advice proved to be less damaging than the government’s dogged refusal to release the documents.

On the key issue facing Sturgeon – her account of a meeting she had with Salmond in 2018 – conflicting accounts will make it almost impossible to reach a conclusive view.

Sturgeon is alleged to have known about the government probe into Salmond at an earlier meeting but she claims to have only been told about a general harassment accusation at that point.

Asked why she did not report the Salmond summit to the Government, she countered by saying she feared it would be seen as an interference in the investigation.

And when asked if she had offered to help Salmond – a view backed up by witnesses – she insisted she had declined to assist him.

Allegations central to the inquiry’s work look likely to be lost in the fog in differing recollections and interpretations.

Salmond seems determined to bring down his protege

The Tory motion looks unlikely to succeed but that doesn’t mean Sturgeon is in the clear.

A separate investigation into whether she breached her own ministerial code of conduct – carried out by a former prosecutor – will have more weight than the inquiry’s report.

The bigger issue for Sturgeon is the impact of recent events on the Holyrood election in May.

The committee inquiry has not cut through with everyday voters but is causing turmoil within the SNP and the wider independence movement.

Although a recent opinion poll showed the SNP is in line for a majority at the Holyrood election, the margins are tight. With a chunk of the independence movement buying into Salmond’s conspiracy claims, any negative impact on turnout could cost the SNP an outright win.

Salmond is a raging bull and seems determined to bring down his protege because she failed to help him.

Between now and May, expect a range of unhelpful interventions by Salmond to destabilise his successor.

No one has done more over the last 25 years than Salmond and Sturgeon to promote the independence cause – but their feud is the biggest impediment to a goal they both share.

● Minimum wage to rise by 19p an hour to £8.91 for over-23s in April. It’ll reach £8.36 for 21-22s; £6.56 for 18-20s; £4.62 for 16-17s and £4.30 for apprentices. ● 23 and 24-year-olds included in highest minimum wage rate for the first time. ● Tax-free personal allowance to be frozen at £12,570 until 2026. Income tax rates are set separately in Scotland.

No extra duties on spirits, wine, cider or beer.

Fuel duty to be frozen for the 11th consecutive year.