First minister’s phone records called on as evidence for inquiry

PROBE: Handling of Alex Salmond’s harassment case to go under review

Scotland’s highest-ranking politicians and officials from the last decade are to give evidence to an inquiry into the SNP government’s handling of harassment complaints against Alex Salmond.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, her predecessor Mr Salmond, deputy first minister John Swinney and SNP chief executive Peter Murrell – Ms Sturgeon’s husband – will all give written statements to a Holyrood committee.

They could be called to give oral evidence, with some committee members calling for the use of powers to take testimony under oath.

Former first minister Mr Salmond was awarded hundreds of thousands of pounds from the public purse after the government conceded it had acted unlawfully while investigating harassment claims against him.

He was acquitted of all sexual assault charges levelled against him at a High Court trial earlier this year.

Ms Sturgeon’s personal phone records, government and SNP emails and memos between high-ranking civil servants, ministers and party chiefs will all be expected to be handed over as evidence ahead of formal inquiries getting under way in August.

Details of the meetings held between Ms Sturgeon and Mr Salmond in the wake of complaints made against the former first minister have also been called for evidence.

Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans – head of the Scottish civil service – will be called first to give evidence into the culture of the organisation and how it handled sexual harassment complaints.

Already the Scottish Government has been chided by the committee for failing to meet deadlines for evidence.

The Scottish Parliament committee into the government’s handling of harassment complaints since 2008 met virtually yesterday afternoon.

It expects to meet on a weekly basis from August, in person at Holyrood, should Covid-19 restrictions allow.

An initial list of witnesses was published yesterday, with all expected to give written submissions to the inquest before the return of parliament.

As well as the SNP’S top members, the Scottish civil service’s highest ranking officials will also be asked to submit evidence.

Picture: PA. Alex Salmond leaving the High Court in Edinburgh after he was cleared of all charges.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is to give written evidence to the inquiry.