Baillie claims lawyers can hand over evidence
Scottish Labour MSP Jackie Baillie has claimed the lawyers representing Alex Salmond can give previously barred evidence to the Holyrood committee investigating the Scottish Government’s handling of sexual misconduct complaints against the former first minister.
Ms Baillie, who is a member of the committee, has revealed the body is considering writing to Levy & Mcrae, as suggested by Mr Salmond at his six-hour evidence session on Friday, to ask it to share vital documents which it has otherwise been unable to access.
She has said that despite legal restrictions placed on certain documents due to the rules which surround “disclosed materials” during a criminal trial, the solicitors can give the evidence she said the committee needs.
Mr Salmond, who was cleared of 13 allegations of sexual assault and abuse last year, alleges there is information supplied to his lawyers during the trial that would shine a light on the “malicious plan” he claims was concocted to remove him from public life.
He also claims his lawyers have evidence the Scottish Government failed to meet the request of a search warrant by providing all the information asked for under its terms during the preparation of his trial.
At his committee session, Mr Salmond said it should stop serving orders on “people who have been unwilling to give you information” and instead use the powers under the Scotland Act “to serve an order on my solicitors, who are extremely willing to give you information”.