Challenge will cast a shadow for months

By ANDY PHILIP FORMER first minister Alex Salmond argued there were fundamental flaws in the Scottish Government’s complaints process into allegations of sexual misconduct made in January.

Chief civil servant, Permanent Secretary Leslie Evans, spent eight months overseeing the internal investigation. Salmond’s challenge is being made at the Court of Session and is nothing to do with a police or potential criminal probe.

He is seeking a judicial review in which a judge is asked to determine if the Government have acted within legal limits. Salmond alleges that the Government breached their own terms by making details public.

He said a fair process was not followed and claimed he was denied the right to talk to key individuals or see full details of claims against him. Evans said Salmond made factual inaccuracies in his public statements and the Government said they will “vigorously” defend their actions.

Salmond expects his challenge against the Government to take “two to three months”. But that could be optimistic going by previous cases. A legal expert said the Salmond hearings could be tied up by Christmas if both sides are keen to push forward quickly, but any delay could push it into next year.

Meanwhile, Evans gave Police Scotland information gathered during the internal complaints process. The force are assessing if there is a need to start their own formal investigation.