FIRST MINISTER SALMOND ’BULLIED’ EMPLOYEES

Union boss claims concerns were raised 10 years ago over politician’s behaviour

CONCERNS over Alex Salmond’s “bullying” of staff were raised by trade unions almost a decade ago, a Daily Record investigation has discovered.

The former first minister’s explosive temper and the behaviour of other ministers also disturbed civil servants.

After Salmond came to power, a Scottish Government process for

told government bosses there had been a history of “bad behaviour” from ministers in the Scottish Government, the previous Scottish Executive and the Scotland Office that required robust action.

The policy was eventually implemented in 2010 and remained in place until Sturgeon redrafted it last year in the wake of the sexual harassment scandal.

The legality of those new procedures will be the subject of the judicial review Salmond has launched against the Scottish Government.

The Record revealed last month that a secret Scottish Government investigation into Salmond’s conduct had been carried out after two women raised complaints in January.

One of the woman told investigators it took repeated requests to stop an alcohol-fuelled Salmond’s advances in his official bedroom at Bute House, Edinburgh, in December 2013.

The former SNP leader was alleged to have told the woman to get in the bed before lying on top of her, kissing her and touching her sexually on her breasts and bottom through her clothes. He is said to only have stopped when asked repeatedly to do so.

The incident is now being probed by police.

None of the sources who spoke to the Record had previously heard allegations of any behaviour from Salmond that could have been construed as sexual assault. But his ferocious temper has been well known in the Scottish political world for years.

A Salmond ally admitted: “He does have a quick temper and if you were someone who didn’t know him that well that might be the only side you saw to him.

“I think that is part of his problem now. He didn’t exactly make many friends in the civil service.

“The party staff knew what he was like and had signed up for it. Civil servants hadn’t.”

Multiple sources have confirmed Salmond’s aggressive treatment of staff was a common subject of civil service concern throughout his period in government.

A woman who held a senior position at the time said: “It was all people were talking about.”

Salmond denies the allegations against him.

He has resigned from the SNP and vowed to clear his name.

Salmond declined to comment yesterday on our latest revelations and threatened us with legal action.