We’ll take Crown to court over Salmond, say MSPs
Legal action threat if prosecutors refuse to release secret documents
MSPs are threatening to take the Crown Office to court if officials refuse to disclose key documents to the Alex Salmond inquiry.
The battle for the truth about the Scottish Government’s investigation into harassment allegations against the former First Minister has become increasingly bitter.
The committee conducting the inquiry has given the Crown Office and the Scottish Government until Friday to hand over documents.
An inquiry source said: ‘The committee is waiting to hear back from the Crown Office. Should the request be refused, the committee would have to give serious consideration as to whether court action would need to be taken.’
However, the inquiry is running out of time to complete its probe before Holyrood breaks up ahead of May’s election. Court action may take place after their report has been filed.
The Harassment Complaints Committee invoked Section 23 of the Scotland Act 1998 after repeatJanuary edly asking for the documents. The MSPs want WhatsApp messages sent between SNP officials, Ministers, special advisers and civil servants, between August 2018 and 2019, which may be relevant to the inquiry, to be released.
One previously leaked message revealed that Peter Murrell, SNP chief executive and husband of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, told a fellow party official that it was a ‘good time’ to put pressure on police investigating Mr Salmond.
Last week, The Scottish Mail on Sunday reported that Craig Murray, a pro-independence blogger, claimed to be aware of more messages sent by Mr Murrell relating to Mr Salmond, who was cleared of all charges by the High Court last year.
Appearing before the committee, Mr Murrell was asked by interim Scottish Labour leader Jackie Baillie if there were other messages. He replied: ‘There is nothing else. No.’
Mr Murray alleged that this was a ‘straight lie’.
If the Crown Office does release the messages, it may reveal if there are more from Mr Murrell.
The Government also has until Friday to release withheld documents, including legal advice on whether to fight a judicial review, which it lost to Mr Salmond, leaving taxpayers with a £512,000 bill.
It remains to be seen if Mr Salmond will give evidence to the committee, after refusing to appear on February 2 due to travel concerns during lockdown. Alternative dates have been suggested to appear in person or virtually.