Salmond challenges sex assault allegations
ALEX Salmond last night admitted he was “no saint” as he launched a legal challenge over the Scottish Government’s handling of sexual assault allegations against him.
The former first minister said he had “flaws” and “made many mistakes” but insisted he had not harassed anyone.
Last night his successor Nicola Sturgeon was under mounting pressure to suspend him from the party he led for 20 years.
Mr Salmond has been accused of sexual harassment by two female Scottish government officials following incidents dating back to 2013 that allegedly took place while he was in office. The complainants came forward in January this year after the Scottish government’s code of conduct was revised to allow the investigation of allegations against former ministers.
He was advised of the complaints in March.
Ms Sturgeon declared the allegations could not be ignored as it emerged her predecessor had hoped to stop them from being made public.
In a day of turmoil for the nationalist administration, the former MP repeatedly denied the claims, accusing Scotland’s most senior civil servant, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans, of mishandling the investigation.
He confirmed he had launched a legal challenge over the Scottish government’s conduct after being told by Ms Evans the allegations were going to be made public.
Ms Sturgeon admitted the explosive allegations would deeply disturb SNP activists. A visibly distressed Ms Sturgeon told the BBC: “This is an incredibly difficult situation for me to come to terms with.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “We are carrying out an assessment of information which we have received and enquiries are at an early stage.”