Sturgeon ‘misled’ Salmond inquiry
Scottish first minister ‘misled committee’
The Alex Salmond inquiry has reportedly concluded it is “hard to believe” Nicola Sturgeon did not know of concerns about his behaviour before November 2017.
In a further leak about the findings of the inquiry, a majority of MSPs are understood to have concluded that Ms Sturgeon misled the Holyrood committee.
THE ALEX Salmond inquiry has reportedly concluded it is “hard to believe” Nicola Sturgeon did not know of concerns about the former first minister’s behaviour before November 2017, as she claimed.
In a further leak about the findings of the inquiry into Scottish Government’s unlawful investigation of Mr Salmond, a majority of MSPs are understood to have concluded that Ms Sturgeon misled the Holyrood committee if she did have knowledge of the concerns.
Ms Sturgeon has claimed she was informed about a media inquiry relating to the then-First Minister’s alleged behaviour towards female Edinburgh Airport staff in November 2017 and that was the first she had ever heard of his potential inappropriate behaviour.
Sky News also has reported that the committee believes Ms Sturgeon should have acted upon any information about her predecessor’s conduct.
On Thursday evening, she told Sky News: “I stand by all of the evidence I gave to the committee, all eight hours’ worth of evidence.
“What’s been clear is that opposition members of this committee made their minds up about me before I uttered a single word of evidence, their public comments have made that clear.”
She added that she is awaiting the result of the James Hamilton QC investigation into whether she broke the ministerial code.
A Scottish Parliament spokeswoman said the committee, which has four SNP members and five from other parties, is still considering its report.
It is expected to be published on Tuesday.
The Committee on the Scottish Government Handling of Harassment Complaints was set up after a successful judicial review by Mr Salmond resulted in the Scottish Government’s investigation being ruled unlawful and “tainted by apparent bias”, with a £512,250 payout being awarded to him for legal fees in 2019.
A spokesman for the First Minister said some opposition members “appear intent on breaking every rule in the book in a blatantly transparent attempt to damage her before the coming election”. Scottish Labour says it will await the findings.