Attack on official was ‘nasty and vindictive’

The leader of the civil servants’ union has condemned the attack launched by Alex Salmond against a senior government official.

Dave Penman, the general secretary of the FDA that represents the UK’S senior civil servants, accused the former Nationalist leader of “nasty, vindictive and deliberate” attacks on the integrity of Leslie Evans, the Scottish Government’s permanent secretary.

Mr Salmond, who has demanding an inquiry into the leaking of details surrounding sexual misconduct claims made against him, has repeatedly accused Ms Evans of using an unlawful and unfair procedure to investigate the allegations.

Writing in the Times yesterday, Mr Penman said Mr Salmond was attacking the integrity and neutrality of the civil service to promote his personal agenda.

“As a former first minister, he knows Ms Evans is duty-bound to investigate complaints,” Mr Penman said. “Not only is this nasty, vindictive and deliberate, it also has broader consequences.

“What message does this send to those tasked with investigating complaints, let alone the real victims here?”