A tawdry episode

THE controversy over the allegations o sexual misconduct against Alex Salmond represents one of the most tawdry episodes in Holyrood’s history.

But it is clear that – thanks to government obfuscation – the public is being denied the full truth about this extraordinary chain of events.

On Saturday, the Mail revealed that one of the claims against Mr Salmond was first investigated five years ago, and he apologised to the woman involved for a ‘misunderstanding’.

Now we discover that Mr Salmond will cite this fact as an example of the unfairness of the Scottish Government’s complaints handling process, at a forthcoming judicial review.

Nicola Sturgeon has insisted she first heard about the investigation from Mr Salmond himself in April, and had no prior knowledge of the allegations.

Within the past few weeks, the Scottish Government has repeatedly claimed that ‘there are no recorded complaints about Alex Salmond prior to January 2018’.

We now know this is because Mr Salmond’s apology meant the investigation ended with no action being taken against him.

Miss Sturgeon spoke to Mr Salmond on three occasions this year about the government investigation into his alleged misconduct – but we have not been told what he said, or what she told him.

Legal constraints, given the imminent judicial review, are cited by ministers and their officials as a barrier to greater openness.

But isn’t it about time the SNP stopped hiding behind weasel words – and finally provided a detailed account of its role in this unedifying affair?