Salmond inquiry’s new bid over legal advice

The scope of legal advice the Salmond inquiry is seeking from the Scottish Government has been narrowed after weeks of wrangling.

The committee set up to investigate how complaints against Alex Salmond were handled has been pushing the Scottish Government to release legal advice it received during a judicial review brought by the former first minister.

Ministers conceded the case and Mr Salmond was awarded more than £500,000.

Releasing legal advice is against the ministerial code unless there are “exceptional circumstances” – and law officers must provide their consent.

This month, MSPs have voted twice in the Scottish Parliament for the advice to be made public but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and her deputy John Swinney have said a process is being undertaken to see if it can be released.

N o w, committee convener Linda Fabiani has w r i tt e n to Mr Swinney to limit the scope of the request, clarifying the inquiry is only seeking legal advice on the chances of the Scottish Government winning the case in a bid to reduce the length of time it is taking to receive the advice.

Ms Fabiani said the release of part of the advice should not require “a lengthy process”.

Ms Sturgeon wa s pressed on the publication of the advice at First Minister’s Questions yesterday, with Tor y Holyrood leader Ruth Davidson claiming she has “something to hide”.

Meanwhile, the committee has also sent a letter to former SNP We s t m i n s t e r leader Angus Robertson asking him to provide written evidence by December 9.