Ex-SNP Westminster chief told to hand over evidence
THE SNP’s former deputy leader has been called to provide evidence to the Alex Salmond inquiry.
Angus Robertson has been told to provide a written account detailing whether he held discussions with politicians or officials regarding allegations about the former First Minister.
A deadline of December 3 has been s et f or his evidence.
Mr Robertson, the SNP candidate for Edinburgh Central in next year’s Holyrood elections, led the party in the House of Commons between 2007 and 2017.
In November 2018, Sky News ran a story about sexual misconduct claims against Mr Salmond involving female staff at Edinburgh
Airport dating back to 2008. Mr Robertson was reportedly told about the claims, which Mr Salmond denies and which were dropped by prosecutors before his criminal trial.
He has never commented on the issue publicly.
In 2018 Nicola Sturgeon was asked by Sky News if Mr Robertson had told her about Edinburgh Airport’s concerns.
She said that she could not ‘comment or answer questions’ on the issue because of civil court action between Mr Salmond and the Scottish Government, and ongoing police inquiries.
She added: ‘I am absolutely satisfied that I, the SNP and the Scottish Government have acted entirely appropriately at all stages.’
In a letter to Mr Robertson, sent yesterday, Linda Fabiani, convener of the Holyrood inquiry, said : ‘The committee is seeking to establish how knowledge of all egations or f ormal complaints about sexual harassment against the former First Minister was shared within senior figures in the party of government to inform its consideration of the Scottish Government’s handling of complaints.’
She asked Mr Robertson to provide details of whether, while he was leader of the SNP group at Westminster, he had any contact with Miss Sturgeon, Scottish Government officials or special advisers about the policy on handling complaints involving former ministers or any allegations or complaints about Mr Salmond.
She also asked him to provide details of any action taken and to outline what this involved.
Miss Fabiani said: ‘Please do not include any information on the substance of any complaints or any information that could contribute to the identification of any complainers.’